My Ibex Hunt

Author:  Allison Anderson

During this trip, I learned a few very important details about the Florida Mountains; one of which being there is no such thing as solid ground while hiking the steep, crumbling mountains and domes.   Rocks sliding out from under me with virtually each step didn’t stop me from taking in the rugged beauty of the mountain range and its inhabitants; rattlesnakes and bird-sized grasshoppers included.  Persian ibex are Iranian mountain goats and are a little bigger than pronghorn antelope.  The billies have long black beards and huge horns that curve over their backs.  I wanted to jump on the back of one and ride it up a cliff face, using the horns as reins, but these skittish goats bust if you get within 400 yards. The resident mountain lions are also pretty impressive; their ability to slip into a cluster of ibex unnoticed is incredible.  Only when the herd of about 100 ibex scattered did we notice a lion right in the middle of the commotion.  At first, Scott (my step-dad) and I thought she missed her mark.  We watched as she bent her head down and pick up a young ibex and dangle it from her jaws. We lost sight of her as she disappeared under a tree to eat her meal in peace.  Neither Scott nor I had ever seen a mountain lion hunt. Because I had to be in school, my heroes, Scott, Bill Keebler, and Al Sue spent the week before the hunt scouting without me.  I was very grateful to have Mary Keebler cook.  Because of her wonderful food, one of the men swore this was the first hunt where he actually gained weight rather than lost some. On opening morning, while stalking a group of billies, Scott and I ran into another  junior hunter and his dad.  We all decided whoever got the first good shot should take it.  I had no idea the other hunter would shoot just as I was settling in to take a 300 yd, level, cross-canyon shot.  Within seconds, they were four ridges away.  There was no chance of any of us getting another shot at this herd today.  Heartbreaking! My 4^th hunting day, Scott and I left camp before sunrise to hike to a high sniper’s nest with a perfect view of the mountain where Bill, Scott, and Al had seen a beautiful white billy the previous two days.  I was excited when Bill radioed that he and Al could see the ibex on the front of the mountain.  I sat with my beloved 257 Weatherby in its vice, aimed at the dome 540 yards away, watching and waiting when the white billy with the black face and collar came into view, and into range.  Breathe.  Aim carefully, account for the wind.  Inhale.  Don’t Blink… Exhale. Roll eyes.  The ibex kicked out his legs, sprawled out on the ledge, and took a nap.  I reminded myself over and over during the next, very long, 30 minutes, that it’s never a good idea to shoot that distance at something lying down because the vitals are compressed into a smaller target.  At 540 yards, I want the best possible shot. Scott and I alternated resting our eyes and watching the ibex as we waited for him to move.  Just as I put my eye back to my scope, the ibex stood up.  Scott didn’t see the ibex stand, but he saw me as I slid my finger into the trigger guard.  He snapped back to his binoculars just in time to see the ibex fall a split-second after I pulled the trigger.  Exhale. Grin. Using my binoculars and radio, I guided Scott as he hiked to the other mountain and climbed the dome to find the ibex.  As my mom hiked up to take pictures of me, she played her usual “helpful” role, talking to Scott on the radio, “You’re not going to climb that rock-face, are you?  NO! So help me, if you don’t kill yourself, I’ll kill you when you get down here!”  By the time we found the ibex, took pictures, and hiked back to the trucks (dodging a couple of Mojave Green rattlers along the way) it was dark.  When we made it back to camp, Mary had a gourmet dinner and cold bottle of sparkling cider waiting.

Double Column for Illinois Outdoor News

If you’re reading this, you’re reading more of a culmination than a column. I’m a procrastinator by nature, so it was a true oddity when I turned in my column a week and a half early, only to find out that for this particular issue, I was asked to write specifically about the goings on in deer behavior in my area of Northern Illinois. Honestly, I was kind of bummed that I wouldn’t be able to reveal my recent deer hunting calamities to the good readers of Illinois Outdoor News.  Luckily, I have an editor that hid his annoyance well in an attempt to humor my request of a double column.

Don’t ask me why I make intentional choices to make a public reverie of my deer hunting mishaps. It goes against all human nature, and if I think about it too hard, I come to the conclusion that it’s actually a bit weird. It’s certainly not to make a joke out of female hunters everywhere. I guess it’s all about shedding light on the fact that we are human, and despite our fervent attempts not to, we all make mistakes. I mean, think about it. Wouldn’t the hunting world be a lot better place if it contained fewer delusions of grandeur?

One thing, however, the hunting world can’t seem to get enough of is deer reports, and lots of them! It’s a great way for deer hunters to rely on each other’s eyes and ears, in order to pull off a successful season. As of yet, in the 2011 deer season there isn’t a whole lot of excitement to report. But, the small, sometimes almost unnoticeable changes occurring are enough of tangible prelude to tide us over for what is yet to come.

I would be grateful to readers who wouldn’t mind emailing me reports of deer behavior that you’re noticing in your general hunting area. Just type “IODN DEER REPORT” in the subject line, and be sure and tell me what county you’re from. Email your info to: antleraddict2@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance!
Here is my attempt at a double column…

Time frame: Oct 14 – Oct 22, 2011.
Reality Check

Oct 17 – I awoke this morning at 3 AM bright, bushy-tailed, and probably just as annoying as a little squirrel to a writing inspiration that was directly fueled by sheer humiliation. Not wanting to waste the moment I launched out of bed, and scurried to my computer, only to find that it wasn’t where I left it. An immediate search of my 11 year old daughter’s room that could cause someone with OCD to have a breakdown led me to my lifeline.

I’ve always done something different than most who write about their hunting adventures; I’ve always been brutally honest about my screw-ups and mishaps in order to stress the point that it doesn’t matter if we’re new to its lifestyle, or have been hunting our entire lives; there are always lessons to be learned.

Recalling 3 days earlier, Oct 14

Leave it to deer hunting to bring me to my knees with humility as it reminds me of the obvious once again; I’m not perfect. This past weekend was not just a lesson, it was an all out bonk on the head – literally.

By noon on Friday, Oct. 14, I was dying. Okay, so maybe that’s a bit dramatic. I was longing to be in one of my favorite treestands, but I was supposed to pick my kids up from school, so my chances weren’t looking good.

Yes, kids, Mom has officially lost it

Throwing caution to the changing wind that was bringing in cooler temps, I called my 17 year old daughter’s school, had her paged, and got everything straightened out. Not happy about rearranging her plans, but not being above accepting a bribe of free gas money, she agreed to help me out, but not before dishing out, “Geez Mom! Really?”

What was I thinking?

Never, since I began deer hunting have I attempted to sneak into the woods in the middle of the day, and trust me when I say that I will never do it again.
It was 12:47 when I wheeled into my entrance of choice, parked, and retrieved my gear. Performing a personally biased stealth-like stalk, I made my way to the stand that made the most sense according to the wind. On the way, I was ecstatic to find the need to tiptoe around 4 giant scrapes. Three quarters into my walk, the sense of “feeling lucky” disappeared without a hint of consideration.

Busted!

Two deer stood looking at me as I crested a hill while two remained bedded in the field behind my stand. Instinctively, I dropped into the muddy bean field where I laid for two hours. A walnut falling on my head was probably God’s way of reminding me that I should have been more patient.

It was my backside that made the decision to get up. Not seeing anything, I figured they had moved, so I trudged on toward the stand, stopping about every 10 feet to peer into the woods to be sure they weren’t bedded just inside. Not surprisingly, they saw me first, and all I saw was a flash of white tails. I should have gone home, but went to my stand instead. Needless to say, my deer hunt was over long before it started. Sometimes, it’s really hard to feel like you’re at the top of the food chain!

Here we go again…

Always a glutton for punishment, I went back out Saturday afternoon, but this time at a more normal time of day to be heading out for an evening hunt. My hunt went perfectly. I even had a little black capped chickadee land on the cam of my bow as it lay across my lap. The 186 squirrels were annoying as ever, and I saw a couple doe’s that never came within bow range. I’m one of those annoying people who don’t measure the success of a hunt by the kill. As long as I’ve seen deer, I’m happy.

With shooting light over, I made my way back to my car; popped open the hatch, grabbed, and opened my bow case. What was the first thing I saw? Sure as the squirrels playing tricks on my ears, there hung my release, dangling from the Velcro straps. Again, this was another first because I always attach it to my wrist as soon as my bow is out of the case and the quiver is on. But, worse was the harsh fact of not realizing in the three hours I sat in the stand, that I’d not only forgotten a necessary piece of equipment, but remained totally unaware of my brain malfunction! We all know the saying. Sticks and stones will break my bones, etc…. Well, if there was ever an assembly of words that stung like rattling horns on cold fingers, “stupid is, as stupid does,” kicked so hard that it bruised my already fragile, and battered ego. I may have been receiving lessons in patience and thoughtfulness, but was lucky enough to be spared the consequences that would have occurred if a bruiser had come within bow range.

Time to re-boot

This next week, I’m staying out of the woods. Not because I’ve been defeated, but to establish that lessons we learn tend to create the exact opposite effect. It’s a trait of human nature that doesn’t happen in the realm of hypothetical ifs. It’s a matter of when our arrogance gets the best of that we are outsmarted by creatures with fur and four legs. And, truth be told, I got what I deserved.
So, after a little reading of hunting material, and a lot of reassessing my goals for my 2011 archery season, come next weekend, I plan to be in the woods, and back on top of the food chain!
***For the next few days, I hunted strictly for information. I spoke with fellow hunters and made some extra passes via car around our hunting areas***

Part 2

When this issue of Illinois Outdoor News is being slipped into mailboxes, deer hunters everywhere will already be tangled up in dreams of big bruiser bucks as the mocking fire of anticipation is finally extinguished, and “Sweet November” winds blow into the prairie state. The 2011 pre-rut will have all but consumed the minds of us diehard bow hunters, myself included. Truth be told, this should be an easy column to write, but since honesty is supposed to be the best policy I’ll readily admit that I’m having a ridiculously hard time concentrating. A perfect northwest wind blowing the tassels on the corn still standing in the field behind my house keeps distracting my train of thought, as I zone out to a different place, my favorite place; the deer woods.  As a bow hunter in Northern Illinois, the only thing better than waking up on a mid-October morning to the sound of a combine whirring through the fields, is to fall asleep listening to the same hum with the glare of combine lights searing through the window.

Friday, Oct 21 – Probably one of the best tools for hunters to utilize is the men and women who harvest the crops around their hunting grounds that deer up until this point have been using as choice bedding areas for obvious reasons. In fact, about an hour ago, I crammed on my rubber boots, and painfully finagled my way through picked corn stalks in attempt to get some info from the guy in the big, green tractor.

His observations mirrored the other hunter’s that I’ve spoken with – not a whole lot going on. Yet. Of course, when it comes to hunting, there’s always more to it than meets the human eye, because despite the predictions, and the extensive knowledge we’ve gained in recent years, we’re still dealing with one of the largest and uncontrolled forces; nature.

Keep in mind that you’ll be reading this approximately a week and a half after I’ve turned it in for publication, so as I said earlier, deer activity will more than likely have changed dramatically.
It’s been a good year as weather is concerned, so farmers have wasted little time getting their crops picked, which has the deer switching it up a little. A few hunters I’ve talked to have seen bucks still in small bachelor groups. We’re noticing a few rubs here and there, but mostly scrapes, which are probably being made while we’re sawing logs.  The scrapes on the edge of a bean field that I tiptoed around last week were scraped bare on the ground, but the licking branches above them remained intact and unscathed, so I’ll be watching for that to change shortly.

Younger bucks, 3 ½ years and under are being seen crossing the now bare fields during late morning hours, but from my personal perspective, and the accounts of fellow hunters, the monster bucks remain elusive, and guarded.

As far as the female gender of the whitetail population, all focus should really be on them. Research says that bucks at this moment are quite literally ready and waiting, and probably have been for a while. A select group of does will come into estrus early, just as a select few, typically the younger, will come in late. If conception doesn’t occur in a doe’s first breeding cycle, the doe will come into estrus again 28 days later. Sometimes, if a doe comes into estrus early, she’ll join a larger group to help ward off the inevitable for as long as she can.

At this point, the does are still calm, and appear to still be with their fawns, but do seem to be herding into bigger groups now. For the antlered giants, the elite members of the buck hierarchy, it’s a waiting game for the moment of truth to arrive; a moment that makes the possibility of ending up on a wall worth the risk. So, while they wait, so will we.

Team USA Wrapped up the Pan American Shooting Events

Oct. 22 was the finals in Women’s 50m Three Position Rifle. Sarah Beard (Danville, Ind.) Beard emerged with the bronze medal in Women’s 50m Rifle Three Position. Beard shot 371 match points and 96.4 points in the final for 677.4 total points. “It wasn’t the result or performance that I wanted, but I learned a lot from this competition,” said Beard. Her bronze was also the first international medal to her name and she is “proud of it regardless.” She continued to comment on the experience as she said, “The Pan American Games have been wonderful-I have enjoyed my time in Mexico, the range and the intercultural atmosphere.” The gold medalist was Dianelys Perez of Cuba with 671.6 total points. Cuban teammate Eglys de la Cruz finished with the silver medal and 670.3 total points. The American shooting athletes leave Guadalajara, Mex., the most accomplished team with 18 total medals-10 gold, four silver and four bronze. The team also set six qualification records, equaled three qualification records, set eight new final records and equaled one final record for a very successful showing.

Please navigate to the official Pan American Games website for complete results. Highlights of the Pan American Games can be found at http://bit.ly/q4UwBR and http://es.pn/mW8QeW. For updates and news, please visit USA Shooting’s Website, Facebook and Twitter.

RHODE Triumphant in Pan American Games…Dedicates Medal to Grandmother

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2011

Contact:  Katie Yergensen – USA Shooting

katie.yergensen@usashooting.org, 719-866-4896

Four-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode (El Monte, Calif.) added yet another gold star to her resume today at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Rhode ran her first round with a perfect 25 targets in Women’s Skeet. The number one ranked Women’s Skeet shooter in the world continued to shine with two rounds of 24 targets for a total of 73 targets headed into the final. With a six target cushion Rhode, the first American nominated to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team (pending approval by the United States Olympic Committee), set a new Pan American qualification and final record with 98 total targets. The silver medalist was Francisca Crovetto of Chile with 89 total targets and the bronze medalist was Gil Melisa of Argentina with 88 targets.

Rhode, who switched from Women’s Double Trap to Women’s Skeet after her original event was removed, has medaled in every major world championship in both events. Rhode’s grandmother passed away while the team was en route to Guadalajara and Rhode said, “This Pan American Games had a lot of sentimental value for me because my grandmother passed away while I was flying down here. I’d like to dedicate this medal to my grandmother because she taught me to work hard and stick with it.”

Keeping Physically Fit for the Hunt

Hunting is a relatively safe sport, resulting in fewer injuries and deaths annually than bicycling or skiing. Most hunters are conscious of safe gun handling, but many are not aware of the importance physical fitness plays in staying safe and enjoying the experience.

In my home state of Colorado, out of shape hunters coming from lower altitude are more likely to have a fatal heart attack than to die from a gun related injury. (In 30% of people, the first sign of heart disease is sudden death). Even in West Virginia where altitude is not such a big factor, 3 of 7 reported hunting deaths and injuries in a recent year were from heart attacks; two of the other four were from a hunter falling from a tree stand.

Everything from gardening and golf, hiking to triathaloning is more fun and safer when we are healthy and physically fit to do what is in front of us.

Remember that fitness includes not only cardiovascular health, but balance, reflexes, strength and flexibility.  Acquiring and keeping these qualities takes only a few minutes a day and can usually be incorporated into ordinary activities. Part of the deal is to maintain good nutrition and a healthy weight.

One of my favorite memories is of an older man, quite fit, at the gym. There were a several local races being promoted at that time and I asked him if he was training for something; his response: “Life.” Those who do train for life enjoy their activities the most, have the energy to do more, live longer and healthier and are less likely to need multiple medications and nursing home care until far advanced age, if then.

Keep the following in mind:

1.  The more fit you are, the less likely a heart attack will interrupt your vacation and maybe your life.

2. Struggling to keep up is frustrating to you and to your partners.

3. If you are in shape, you can walk longer distances, climb hills and carry your equipment without panting so much you ruin the experience.

4. If you are fit, you are less likely to be breathing so hard you cannot hold your rifle steady and hit your target.

5. Physically healthy people can say yes to a last minute invitation to join a strenuous activity.

6. The more fit you are, the faster you can run from predators. Remember, you just have to outrun your partner, not the bear!

For more tips and information visit my website:  www.DocDawn.com.

NRA Ladies’ Elk Hunt at Bear Mountain Ranch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join Susan LaPierre and women from the NRA Women’s Leadership Forum for an NRA Ladies’ Elk Hunt at Bear Mountain Ranch in Kremmling, Colorado, November 4 – 10, 2011.  Due to recent cancellations, there are openings for two hunters.  The reduced fee of $5,250 includes one guide for every two hunters, all meals and beverages, and first class lodging.  Please call Campbell Engle at the NRA for more information (703) 267-1570.  Visit www.bearmountainranch.com to view the beauty of the ranch.

 

USA Shooting Women Capture More Medals in Pan American Games!

The Women’s Trap athletes packed a one-two punch for the podium. Kayle Browning (Wooster, Ark.) led the way into the final with 68 targets for a new Pan American record. Teammate Miranda Wilder (Diana, Texas) was three targets behind in the second position with 65 targets.

With only four shooters remaining, the flash targets began acting up and breaking. “I knew what target I was going to get – the hard right off of four that I missed the first time around – I just concentrated on breaking the bird,” said Wilder as she recalls waiting for her turn after the interruption.

Wilder buckled down and shot 21 targets in the final for the gold medal for 87 total targets and a new Pan American total record. Browning fired 17 targets in the final for 85 total targets and the bronze medal and gained valuable international experience: “I learned that I can’t rush through shooting, I have to take my time just like every other match.” The silver medalist was Lindsay Boddez of Canada with 65 match targets and 21 targets in the final for 86 total targets.

USA Shooting’s Emily Caruso Wins Gold!

In the second day of shooting events at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Emily Caruso (Fairfield, Conn.) broke away from the competition with 396 match points equaling a Pan American record set by fellow competitor Eglys Cruz from Cuba. Cruz entered the Women’s 10m Air Rifle final with 394 points in second place, but was ineligible for the much-desired quota as she had already won her quota at the 2010 CAT Games. With that, Caruso had a three point gap between herself and the rest of the competition. Teammate Meghann K. Morrill (Boerne, Texas) shot 391 points to enter the final in the fifth position.

Halfway through the final, Caruso fired a 9.6 point shot that drew a negative reaction from the crowd. “I was mad, I was the only person they booed-they cheered for other 9s and 8s. I think I proved them [the crowd] wrong on the next shot with a 10.9.” She claimed the gold and second Women’s 10m Air Rifle quota with 101.8 points in the final for a new final Pan American record. “It always feels good to win, and it was a fight until the end. It’s a huge relief to win this quota and I’m really happy that we are now able to send a full team this quad,” said Caruso. Morrill shot her way up one position in the final to finish fourth overall with 492.6 total points. The silver medalist was Eglys Cruz from Cuba with 497.3 total points and Rosa Pena of Mexico finished with the bronze at 494.7 total points.

Collaboration At Its Very Best!

I joined the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) several months ago as an opportunity to learn something from this 85 year old media association, one that has thousands of members. It has been a wonderful learning opportunity for me as I recently learned that OWAA produces an awards contest each year relating to juniors writing about their outdoor experiences in these same fields.  So what you will be reading off/on for the next several weeks are articles from young women who were award winners with OWAA.  I think this collaboration between the OWAA and the WOMA is very special and the real winner is the young women who write about their experiences in the outdoors.  I hope you enjoy these pieces as much as I did!

Deb Ferns, Chair of the WOMA

2011 Contest: 3^rd Place: “First Hunt & Hooked For Life”

Abby Wood – 6^th Grade

(Originally published December 2010, Ohio Outdoor News)

I was eight years old and excited. My uncle Larry had just bought a buddy treestand for me that I could use for hunting. At first, I was scared to go up. I had never climbed that high. But, I racked up all the nerve I had and climbed up the ladder. I sighed with relief. I was up and sitting down. We repeated the procedure many more times, and before I knew it I was target shooting and it was the night before youth gun season. With every shot I took at the fake deer, my blood pumped ore. I thought to myself that this could be the shot I take, so I tried that much harder.

After dad said I shot enough times, I went to make sure I had everything I needed ready. After I was sure it was all there, I got ready for bed. What put me to sleep wasn’t the thought of killing a buck, it was the smell of mom’s homemade chocolate chip cookies, fresh out of the oven. I fell asleep soundly from the wonderful aroma. Suddenly, I felt dad pull on me and I woke up groggily. “It’s here. The day you’ve waited for,” he said. The day was finally here! The day for which I had practiced and trained and so anxiously awaited. Immediately, I became excited, but all I could muster was a broad smile. When I was dressing, I was excited, nervous, scared and happy all at the same time. The smell of hot cocoa and coffee hit me in the hallway. Excitement controlled my body now. This meant it was time to go. I grabbed some of mom’s cookies, a thermos of hot chocolate, a book, and my gun. It was time to hunt.

After what seemed like a century, we finally arrived at our hunting destination. The walk down the road seemed like walking on glass. I had to be silent. Now, we were all climbing up the ladder: dad, uncle Larry, and me. After getting everybody comfortable, we settled in. I tried to keep busy so I wouldn’t be asking questions and bothering the guys. I had some hot chocolate and a few cookies (which were delicious as always) and then started reading my book. Shortly after sunrise, dad nudged me. “What?” I said, only to find a good 6-point walking. Dad handed me my gun and I drew it to my shoulder nervously. Would I be able to get a shot? Will the deer ever quit walking?

All of these questions screamed at me as I watched the deer walk out of sight. I put the gun down. I felt sad and upset. Dad told me another deer might still come, but I had little hope. Uncle Larry said it wasn’t my fault that I couldn’t get the shot. I went back to reading again. Just as I finished my book, I heard leaves crumbling. Right then, I saw a deer. Dad gave me the gun and just barely whispered “take the shot.” The deer was walking and suddenly stopped. I aimed at it and pulled the trigger. I wanted to scream to the heavens. I had hit the deer!

I wanted to go see my deer immediately, but dad said to give it time to fully die. Fifteen minutes never seemed so long in my life. I called mom and told her I’d killed a deer. She could hear my voice shaking and could tell I was crying. She asked me “are you OK?” I was more that OK because I had shot my first deer. My tears were tears of pure joy. When dad finally said it was time, we went to check out my deer. It turned out to be a spike and I had shot it from 75 yards.

This was my first hunt, but it was the beginning of a passion for hunting that will never fade.

The Women Behind Ducks Unlimited

By WOMA Member, Andrea “Andi” Cooper of Ducks Unlimited…

I took a photo of a friend of mine, Alicia Wiseman, who is a Regional Biologist with Ducks Unlimited for the last 2 years. She administers the Louisiana Waterfowl Project, which is a partnership program with state and federal agencies. Part of her job is to provide field assistance to private landowners in south Louisiana. Alicia is also helping Ducks Unlimited establish a working relationship within the rice industry of Louisiana.

Alicia received her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science in 2006 from Mississippi State University. She also received her Master of Science degree in Wildlife Science (2009; Mississippi State University). Her thesis work, studying waterfowl foods in managed grain sorghum fields, helped her specialize in waterfowl and working wetlands management. Her professional goal is to help farmers and landowners be successful on the land while simultaneously benefiting wildlife. This is right in line with the Ducks Unlimited mission and as Alicia said, “makes working for such a great organization just plain fun.” There are a number of professional women who work for Ducks Unlimited and I hope to highlight others down the road.

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