my sister is vegetarian, but i hunt€¦ · 16 my sister is vegetarian; i hunt by kayci martensen...

Official Magazine Of Sci chapterS in WiScOnSin and illinOiS

July/auguSt 2020

• Education: R3 Youth Turkey• Humanitarian:

COVID Time to Decide• Hunters’ Rights Updates• Chapter News & Events• Who is True Conservationist

My Sister isVegetarian,But I Huntby Kayci M., age 16

2 WI SCI HUNTERS – July/August 2020

One Stop Try Them All... in Both Right & Left Handed

Over Half a Million Dollars of Inventory In Stock 5% Off Stock Bows if We Don’t Have Your Size 40 yd Indoor 3D Archery Range & Dart Video Outdoor 28 Target 3D Course Leagues, Rentals, Group & Corporate Outings We Service Any Bow... Regardless Where it was Bought!

Conveniently Located on Interstate 94 between Milwaukee and Madison

18 ACRES...NOTHIN’ BUT ARCHERY

WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD ON ANY NEW BOW!!

THE MIDWEST’S PREMIER ARCHERY FACILITY

N13 W28400 Silvernail Road , Pewaukee, WI • 262-547-0535 • www.buckrubarchery.com

Proud Supporter of:

HUNTERS 5 Legislative Update by Dan Trawicki, SCI Lobbyist

6 SCI Region 16 Report by Regional Rep. Charmaine Wargolet

6 Safe for Sale

7 Mom & Son Success by Tiffany Bielenberg Kramer

8 Boar-dom Beats Covid Boredom by Mark LaBarbera

9 Illinois & Chicago Chapter Report

9 Nominate Trailblazer

10 Badgerland Chapter Report by President Randy Mayes

10 Legislative: Canadian Gun Ban

10 Small, LaBarbera Win Awards

11 Wisconsin Chapter Report by President Fred Spiewak

12 Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Report by President Marty Witczak

16 My Sister is Vegetarian; I Hunt by Kayci Martensen

18 CBW Syndrome Found Here

19 SCI Asks WHO

22 Anatomy Help Wanted

24 Pole-Cam Bass

26 Hunt Report: Eland by Darryl Knight

30 2020 Vision: Time to Decide by Mark LaBarbera

32 Wingshooters: No Excuses by Josh Lantz

33 WHEIA Awards Scholarships

34 The Field by Loren Voss

36 True Conservationists

37 Success for Youth by Mark LaBarbera

Editor/Publishers: Mark & Coni LaBarbera

HUNTERS is a bimonthly publication for members of SCI chapters in Wisconsin, plus bonus electronic circulation, which includes some of the world’s most avid and affluent conservationists who enjoy hunting here and around the world. They have earned a reputation of leadership on natural resources issues and giving to pro-tect and support the future of hunting and conservation here and abroad. To share your message with them, send ads and editorial submissions to Mark LaBarbera at [email protected].

Submission of story and photos means that you are giving SCI permission to use them free in SCI printed or electronic form.

Issue Deadline__January/February November 20March/April January 20May/June March 20July/August May 20September/October July 20November/December September 20

New AdvertisersThe number of advertisers allowed in WI SCI HUNTERS magazine is limited. If you would like your ad to be considered for publication, contact Mark at [email protected]. New advertisers who are accepted and prepay for a 6x schedule receive substantial discounts as listed below. All amounts are net U.S. dollars.Ad 1x 6x TotalSize Size Rate (Prepaid)1/4 Pg. 3.5”w x 5.25”h $150 $600/yr.1/2 Pg. 8.25”w x 4.75”h $200 $800/yr.Full Pg. 8.25”w x 10.75”h $250 $1,100/yr.Covers 8.25”w x 10.75”h $300 $1,300/yr.Deliver ads with ½” margin on four sides, plus ¼” for bleeds.

Send ad fees to Treasurer Janean Gehl, W157N10472 Fieldstone Pass, Germantown, WI 53022. No attempt is made to verify the accuracy of ballistic information or hunt reports submitted. Ads in this publication are not considered endorsements or approval of such adver-tiser by Safari Club International.IF YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED, please notify Janean Gehl at [email protected]

Official Magazine of SCI Chapters in Wisconsin and IllinoisJuly/August 2020

On the cover: Kayci Martensen became a successful young hunter while her sister became a vegetarian. Kayci’s deer story starts on page 16.

4 WI SCI HUNTERS – July/August 2020 WI SCI HUNTERS – July/August 2020 5

Join today!SCI Chapters welcome you!

New members and your families are always welcome at SCI. Visit these websites and join a chapter to start your adventure. Members enjoy great fun, meet new friends, make a difference in their community and help the future of hunting, plus you will discover new deals and opportunities that improve your hunting skill and enjoyment. We invite you to join online today.

Badgerland ChapterPresident Randy Mayeswww.scibadgerland.com

Illinois & Chicago ChapterPresident Dale Rimkuswww.sci-illinois.com

Lake Superior ChapterPresident Burl Johnsonwww.sci-lakesuperior.com

Northeast Wisconsin ChapterPresident Marty Witczakwww.scihunterexpo.com

Southeast Wisc. Bowhunters ChapterPresident Alex Valleywww.scibowhunters.com

Wisconsin ChapterPresident Fred Spiewakwww.sciwi.org

SCI Region 16 RepresentativeCharmaine [email protected]

looking for a new taxidermist?

•sickofnotgettingyourworkback? •tiredofphonecallsnotgettingreturned? •fedupwithpastdeadlinesandbrokenpromises?

For over 25 years, Northwoods Taxidermy of Waukesha has been quietly producing quality work at a fair price with a reasonable return time. If you’re looking for a new taxidermist, contact Dan Trawicki at Northwoods Taxidermy. Custom and standard big-game taxidermy is our speciality. Multiple award winner/Best of Show People’s Choice.

northwoodstaxidermywaukesha•262-408-7632

Legislative Updateby Dan Trawicki, SCI Lobbyist

Even though the legislature is out of session until the first of the year, I continue to have contact with our

elected officials and those key decision makers involved in our sport. Many of you may be unaware, but every other year both the Senate and Assembly essentially rarely come to the capital after April 1 as they return to there home districts to meet with constituents on a local level. While on one hand it makes it dif f icult to see legislators personally, staff is still in the office and available to meet. In addition, I still have the ability to call and discuss policy with individuals. Normal state staff from the DNR and other offices are of course still available. The current state of affairs with Covid-19 makes any personal contact very difficult.

I continue to be very involved in local and state elections as we support those candidates and incumbent’s that support our efforts. Unfortunately, in the recent Supreme Court race our candi-date lost. While we will no longer have Justice Kel ly suppor ting our 2nd Amendment rights and constitutional right to hunt and fish, we still have over-whelming support from the judiciary. One of the next big elections on our radar is of course the Presidential elec-tion this November. I will continue to

give updates and information as it becomes available.

During this dif f icult t ime of the Covid-19 pandemic there were a few issues that came up that needed to be and were addressed. When the deci-sion was made by Governor Evers to close the majority of our state parks, it was done just before the start of turkey season. Several chapters reached out to me looking for answers. Ultimately the DNR did give assurances that turkey hunting would be an exception to the closing. Unfortunately, in doing so misleading information was put out on the DNR Facebook page. They indi-cated that turkey hunting would be allowed, and gave the dates of the season that omitted the youth turkey hunt. I followed up to make sure the youth hunt was included which it was. As I was putting that information out to all our chapters, the DNR contacted me and reminded me that because of social distancing the mentor must be a family member of the mentee. This came out just days before the start of the youth hunt. This was a huge problem for me and others. I was scheduled to take the daughter of a friend and had permission from both her mother and father. I was however not a family member. Af ter some d i s c u s s i o n w i t h t h e D N R a n d

consternation on my part, a clarification was made on the DNR website indi-cating that the mentor “should” be a member of the family. Big difference for sure. We went on to hunt, and while unsuccessful during the youth hunt, did connect during her regular season dates. I tried to get this information out to all the chapters as it was happening, in the hopes it would help clarify a rapidly changing situation. I’m sure many of our members were not even aware of the situation as it unfolded. After all, not everyone looks at the Facebook page of the DNR nor suspected there was any problem.

I also was involved with information that was forwarded from the Badger-land Chapter about the closing of some boat launches. While I was not able to get any significant changes, I did make contact with the local officials involved and voice our concerns.

Once again, i f any chapters or chapter members have situations like the above, please contact me! I’m happy to try and get answers or infor-mation and pass it along. I hope all our members are staying safe and still getting out to enjoy the great outdoors in Wisconsin. Fall is right around the corner, no bet ter way to “socia l distance” than sit ting in a tree or walking the woods.

Bo

WW Custom Taxidermy & Hunts LLC

Whitetail Deer $445 (reg $545) African- Big Game- European Mounts- Rugs

*No Deposit Required on all Mounts* www.wwcustomtaxidermy.com

21100 w Capitol Drive State/International Awards Brookfield, WI (262) 373-1245

Our 27th Year in Business !


Region 16 Reportby Charmaine Wargolet,Regional Representative

If there is a silver lining to the Covid shutdown, to me it is that life was allowed to “slow down.” It showed us

that it actually could be done. So much stress, so much hurry, hurry, so much “got ta make more money”. I am certainly not making light of the financial devastation for some folks and it breaks my heart for them. But for many, it brought introspection and realizing what is most important in life, and that taking a pause from the “hurry” is refreshment for the soul. I know I feel a new energy and awareness of how wonderful life can be when you take it down a notch. I sincerely hope and pray that all of you are getting through this without too many adverse effects.

For this brief message, I would like to focus on the “Volunteer” and SCI. For any and all of you out there who are, and have, volunteered for your chapter, I applaud you! SCI is nothing without volunteers, as they are the very lifeblood of the organization. Thank you for all that you do for SCI and most impor-tantly, hunting! Below is a verse I found in an old SCI newsletter and I knew I wanted to republ ish i t for a l l the wonderful SCI volunteers out there!

VOLUNTEER HEAVENMany will be shocked to findwhen the day of judgement nears,that there’s a special place in heavenset aside for volunteers.

Furnished with big reclinerssatin couches, and footstools,where there’s no committee chairmanno group leaders, or car pools.No eager team that needs a coach,no bazaar, and no bake sale.

There will be nothing to staple, not a thing to fold or mail.

Telephones will be outlawed, but a finger snap wwill bring

cool drinks and gourmet dinnersand rare treats for a king.You ask “who’ ll serve these privileged fewand work for all their worth”?Why, all those reaped the benefitsand not one volunteered on earth.

Double Door Safe for SaleAntique Double Door Safe by Cary

Safe Co. fitted with a maple inte-rior to hold guns with shelves to

hold handguns and ammo. Also has drawers to hold your piles of money. The shelves pictured can come out to allow for additional guns.

This is a solid safe and probably weighs 1000 lbs. Door thickness is 3 1/2". Interior is 53" high x 33" wide x 19"deep. Exter ior is 67½" high x 43"wide x 27" deep.

Please call or text SCI member Steven Cripps 608-225-5316 or email [email protected].

Asking $1,800.Delivery to your garage, can be

arranged. This safe will not go down or up the stairs (at least I won’t be there to see it, if it does.)

Mom & Son Successby Tiffany Bielenberg Kramer

My son is almost seven. My husband and I took him to the range to practice shooting the

.410 and eventually a 20 gauge a couple weeks before Easter. Then on the Saturday before Easter, we took him turkey hunting.

My husband had scouted and found the perfect place that was not too far for my son to walk and that he had seen some turkeys. My husband woke him up at 3:30 a.m. to the sound of a turkey call; he was so excited that he jumped right out of bed and got dressed. He was ready!

My job was to video the hunt; my husband’s job was to call the bird in, and my son just had to make the shot.

Shor t ly before sunr ise, the turkeys began to gobble. After the sun was up, the turkey had flown down from the roost and gobbled. It was so close!! He came up on my son’s left side. My husband held the steady sticks and…Boom! My son nailed the turkey. The bird dropped right there.

Husband completed his job, son completed his, mom, well, good

thing I had the camcorder rolling as I totally missed the shot on my cell phone. On the camcorder, my son’s head leans just in front of the camera lens at the exact time the shot was made. All in all, we had an amazing time. It was a hunt my son will never forget. Our plans are to get a full mount done for him. His bird weighed 23 lbs. and had 1-inch spurs and 9-inch beard.

Adding to this season’s memories, I was able to get a big tom myself.

My husband and I went out on May 2, 2020. We were

in the blind at 4:30 a.m. There were gobbles just before sunrise not even 75 yards from us. Then we heard someone t r y ing to ca l l tu rkeys. I t sounded l i ke they we re beating a pot with a wooden spoon.

We were hoping the turkeys would fly right down in front of us…well, they did not. They went to the opposite side.

No matter how well my husband called, he was no

match for the wooden spoon and pot. We never were able to get them close enough.

So, my husband moved the blind and we again hunted the next morning. Again, we were in the blind by 4:30 a.m. We heard several gobbles and saw two hens and a tom fly into the field about 100 yards away. The tom wanted nothing to do with our call and chased the hens. Then we heard another gobble, closer to where we were set up. My husband called and a red head popped out from the trees

about 65 yards away. The big bird was strutting and came right to our decoy. After he jumped on our decoy, I took the shot! Na i led h im. I t was so awesome. He was 24 lbs., 10 ¾-inch beard, and 1 1/8-inch spurs. On our 0.85 mile walk back to the truck, my husband informed me he was surprised that the turkey d id not hear me breathing. Apparently, I was quite nervous. We had forgotten the camera in the truck, so we did not get the hunt on video. At least there is no proof that I was breathing that loudly.

Charmaine with Wisconsin’s next governor, Rebecca Kleefisch.


“Boar-dom” Beats Boredom in Covid Battleby Mark LaBarbera

Amidst the stay-at-home order and social distancing that makes most people want to escape the

boredom, I love getting emails from long-time SCI supporter Greg “Moose Man” Johnson. Members have come to know his enthusiastic and exciting approach to describing adventures at his Bear Mountain lodge and Lake Superior cast-and-blast opportunities.

His messages paint pictures and stir the imagination. They provide a great escape just by reading them, and an even greater get-away for those who book with Bear Mountain.

If you don’t already receive his emai ls, here’s a recent unedited example:

Summer in the North Country is a Magical Time, with lush evergreens and thick hardwood stands and fresh clean air that is excellent for pursuing your

Wild Boar. Lake Superior is filled to the brim, ushering in the dawn of a New and Free World.

Journey to Bear Mountain Lodge, Home of the Raging Boars.

Entering the Great Northern Forest, you encounter the Dominant Primordial Beast” in his Natural Environment and Native Habitat.

In the cool crisp air of morning’s first light, the Biggest, Baddest Boars prowl and search for receptive Gilts (the unbred females) and a few Sows that have escaped breeding this spring. These susceptible Gilts and receptive Sows demand all the attention of the Alpha Boars. The Boar’s compulsive and obsessive behavior makes Summer Hunting lively and exciting... and Yes, a little unpredictable.

Meanwhile, the successful sows from this year’s breeding have dropped their litters in the recesses of the Black Forest, leaving the logging roads,

shooting lanes, and game trails open to the most Aggressive Alphas, who are stil l seeking to carry on their DNA bloodline that dates back to the dawn of time. I invite you to take a Walk in the Park and see who you encounter.

Bumping into a Beast that thinks he is the “Bad Boy” of the Playground, instantly transports you back in time to experience the thrills and spills of mortal combat with your Dinner.

As the First Hunters thrilled to the Call of the Wild, they will live again, through You and Your Actions.

This is your time to connect with the forces that Bind and Hold the Universe together. That supreme energy that flows through each and every one of us.

Your Job is to say Yes to Adventure and Awaken the Force.

See what I mean? Greg “Moose Man” Johnson has a way of making you want to click on https://www.bear-mountainquest.com.

Illinois & Chicago Chapter Report by Dale Rimkus, President

This has been a challenging year, to say the least. Plans had to be changed and many hunts have

been postponed, hopefu l l y not cancelled. Many businesses and jobs and their incomes have been jeopar-dized. And sadly, we have lost some people. But Americans have always been resilient, hunters especially so. There are many things we can learn from our journey through the pandemic, and there are two particularly important ones with respect to our hunting heritage.

First, we should be using this time to bring new people, of all ages, into contact with our sport and our tradi-tions. There have been many people who have shown an interest in hunting or shooting who have never done either. Many firearms were purchased this year by first-time buyers. Many have started to think about the benefits of harvesting their own food by hunting. So don’t let this opportunity slip away. Talk with someone new – maybe a

neighbor or co-worker, or a grandchild or sibling. Find out what questions they might have, tell them how you got started, take them to a range, go with them to the gun shop. Teach them gun safety. And take them hunting! Now is the best time in the past 20 years or more to introduce someone new to our hunting heritage. Remember how you felt when you were a novice? You were probably excited but also very apprehensive. Be someone’s buddy or mentor, and give them the gift that you received back then. Years down the road they will remember their first experiences, they will thank you, and they will hopefully follow in your footsteps and introduce someone else to hunting!

The second thing to take away from this year is that now, more than ever, we need to support the organizations that protect our rights to hunt and to own f i rea rms. Many s tates and

countries have used this pandemic to strip away rights. We cannot stand by and let that happen here! If each of us doesn’t do something, we wil l be playing right into the hands of the animal rights activists and the anti-gun-ners. How can you help? Renew your membership in SCI and in your local chapter. Sign up a new member. Join other pro-hunting and pro-gun organi-zations. Make that donation you have been thinking about but never made. In short, put your money where your mouth is, and where it will do the most good! You’re not just fighting for your rights, but the rights of generations to follow. As Teddy Roosevelt said, “Do something now. If not you, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?”

The Illinois & Chicago Chapter, like many chapters, had to reschedule and relocate our annual banquet this year due to the pandemic. As of this writing we don’t yet know if we’ll be able to have our banquet, but we’re still plan-ning for it to take place on August 29th. We’ll post any important updates on our Facebook page and on our website at www.sci-illinois.com.

America is still the best country in the world, and hunters are the finest Americans. We always rise to the occa-sion, and now is the time to act! So recruit a new hunter, renew your SCI membership, buy tickets to the fund-raisers that have been rescheduled, bid on the online auctions, spread the message of our passion and our heri-tage, and keep the fire burning!

Nominate TrailblazerNominat ions a re now be ing

accepted for the new DSC Conservation Trailblazer Award.

The Trailblazer Award celebrates the immense contr ibut ion of wi ld l i fe professionals to the field of game and non-game wi ld l i fe conser vat ion, including wildlife and habitat management, applied research and policy. The recipient will be presented the award plus a $10,000 contribution toward his or her work in wildl i fe conservation at a banquet during the annual DSC Convention.

Nominees must be full-time state, federal, tribal, provincial, government, academic institution or NGO natural resource professionals. The award may be presented to recognize the lifetime career achievements of a distinguished wildl i fe professional or a specif ic project with a significant conservation impact.

Any interested conservationists may submit a nomination for this award. Candidates will remain eligible for two years unless re-nominated.

The submission should contain:• A detailed nomination statement

with the nominee’s scope of work and impact in the field of wildlife conservation

• At least one additional supporting letter from a nominee’s peer or someone with direct knowledge of the nominee’s work

• The nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae

Nominat ion mater ia ls must be submitted by September 1 each year. The award will not be given posthu-mously and can only be won once.

Please send nominations and inqui-ries to Karrie Meadows, DSC award coordinator, at [email protected]!


Wisconsin Chapter Reportby Fred Spiewak, President

The traditional May SCI National meetings in Washington, D.C. were cance l led due to the

pandemic gripping the nation. The meetings were performed by email voting and computer virtual meetings instead. It is important for us all to realize that SCI is and will be very actively lobbying Congress on behalf of hunters everywhere even though my opportunity was cancelled to be there in person this year.

The virtual SCI National meetings went well. Although it was strange to not be at the meeting in person, the process worked well with all the business being conducted.

Preceding the meeting, by about two weeks, we voted almost daily for all the key posi-tions at SCI National. This provided a clear winner in each position before the next posi-tion was voted on.

Thanks to all the great work done by so many people in the Wisconsin Chapter our 30% contribution to SCI National was $37,000.00. This was communicated by way of a short video that I sent in to SCI. The video was played during the contribution presentation portion of the meeting. SCIWI was the fourth highest contribu-tion at the meeting. Third was only a few hundred more than SCIWI.

Turkey season dawned cold and windy with light snow the night before. The turkeys didn’t seem to care. I was in my Double Bull blind well before legal shooting. I was thankful for the hot coffee I had brought with to the blind. The temperature hovered around 19 degrees.

Opening day was quiet until around 8:00 am. Not much gobbling to be heard.

Then as 9:00 am arrived a tom walked by at around 50 yards. He kept stopping to gobble as he angled off to a different area. I had four hens walk up to within 15 yards as they were feeding. I was encouraged when I saw another tom at maybe 60 yards.

Then it happened. About 9:25 am a tom started gobbling

and walking toward my lonesome hen

decoy. He kept stopping to gobble, however, he was obviously interested.

I had plenty of time to get ready for the shot.

Due to a neck surgery back in December I was using a 28 ga. over and under shotgun with l ight modif ied chokes. For those of you who don’t shoot 28 ga. sporting clays, there is much less recoil than a 12 ga.

At 27 yards the #5 shot hit him like a ton of bricks.

No matter the shotshell load size, 1 ounce or 2 ounces, only a few pellets are likely to be necessary when the turkey is hit in the head. He had a 9 ½” beard and was a medium size bird.

I was just g lad to be ab le to participate.

This reminded me of when my son, David, was ready to turkey hunt. He was 12 years old, back then the minimum age, and I was concerned about the recoil of the typical 12 ga. with an extra full choke. I had David use a light load shotshell of 1 ounce with #5 shot. David was successful for a number of years before using a traditional heavy load.

I would encourage everyone who reads this to consider recoil with a new youth hunter. Now kids much younger than 12 are being introduced to hunting. Young boys and girls simply don’t need to experience heavy recoil.

Talk to a friend or relative and see if there is a 28 ga. that can be borrowed. The shotgun needs to knock the turkey over not the shooter. Anticipation of recoil can affect aim which leads to misses and disappointment.

I am typing this article on the last day of the last period of turkey season. I ended up with two more turkeys this year.

Third period, I harvested another nice gobbler after watching him fan two hens for over an hour. Unfortunately for him, the hens were very slowly feeding towards me. The 28 ga. worked perfectly once again at 39 yards.

Sixth period, I ended the season with a jake. Seeing nothing and hearing almost nothing, I planned on hunting until 9:30 am. About 9:00 am two jakes came in silently. One didn’t roost that night.

Five tags, three turkeys. What a great state we live in.

Now for the recruitment of next year’s turkeys we need reasonable weather and predator control. I heard many

crows in the woods during the latest periods. They are actively look ing for turkey nests. Remember that in Wisconsin we have two crow seasons. One in fall and one in winter. Save a turkey, shoot a crow. I’ll do my part later this year.

Last Thursday, May 21 I was notified that I drew a Wyoming Elk tag. Yeah!

The hunt is on. September 1, 2020 I will be

in camp at Skyline Outfitters. This early rifle hunt is fantastic. I did this hunt in 2018 with Shawn Fricke at Skyline Outfitters and shot a very nice 6X6. I’m hoping for a bigger elk this year.

It’s time to pull out the .30-06 and start plinking at 200 yards and beyond.

Be sure to visit sciwi.org for informa-tion on our annual Sporting Clays Outing Saturday August 15, 2020. This exciting event wi l l once again be at The Highlands. Many of you are close enough to join us for this great event. There will be great weather, great targets, great food and of course great friendships to enjoy.

It’s my fervent hope that you are safe and ready to get back into the woods.

The summer woods will see huge changes from the start of turkey season to the beginning of archery deer season. Getting out and absorbing all that nature has to offer in summer can be refreshing as the woods seems to change a little every year. I look forward to how these changes will influence preparations for the deer seasons this fall.

Badgerland Chapter Report by Randy Mayes, President

I want to start off on a positive note; you do real ize we are only 2 ½ months away from archery deer

season, right? It’s time to get those trail cameras out and if you do the food plot thing, I’m sure you’ve either got them in or will be soon. Time to start checking the days off the calendar as well!

I always like to keep it positive and I know everyone is sick and tired of hearing the “C” word but… I hope your hunts for this year have not been post-poned or cance l led because of Covid-19. There were of course many hunting and fishing trips that were cancelled because of that. Spring bear hunting in Canada and Alaska as well as hunting in New Zealand and Africa to

name a few. It has hit many in the hunting and fishing related businesses very hard. I know many people in these busi-nesses and I hope and pray that they can recover. I think it’s a good excuse to help them out by booking a trip! (Like we need an excuse to book another trip!)

You can of course do that by attending SCI banquets! It’s never too soon to start planning for that! The SCI Badgerland Hunter’s Expo will once again be at the beautiful Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The date will be February 12th and 13th, 2021. We had an EXCELENT show this year and look forward to doing it again…and then some! Mark it on your calendar!

Everyone has had to adjust lately. One word that has entered our frequent vocabulary these days is “Zoom” and SCI is no exception. We have been holding the national board meetings via Zoom for obvious reasons. The last one that I took part in recently had around 170 people in attendance! I certainly prefer the face to face but it has been the best solution available for not only business meetings but some family “get-togethers” as well.

I wish you and your families well as we put this not-so-positive chapter of our lives behind us!

Legislative Alert:

New Canadian Gun Ban Poses Risks for Exported American Shotguns

Based on s t r i c t reading

o f t h e n e w Canadian law

(SOR/2020-96, S e c t i o n 9 5 )

12-gauge shot-guns are banned

because wi th the choke tube removed

the muzzle diameter is 20mm or greater

(depend ing on the model), according to the

National Shooting Sports Foundation. The new law

bans any f irearm with a bore of 20mm or greater. According to Canadian law, the barrel bore is meas-ured at the widest point through which the projec-

t i le travels, which is the muzzle on a 12-gauge shot-

gun. 10-gauge shotguns may also be included in the ban.

NSSF urged all companies to exercise caution when deciding whether to export any 12-gauge

or 10-gauge shotguns to Canada at th is t ime. I t is poss ib le that the Canadian Border Security Agency could impound and/or seize the ship-ment. I f impounded, NSSF said, exporters could face thousands of dollars in fees per day based on the size of the shipment. NSSF said, “There have been public statements by Canadian of f icials suggesting that 12-gauge shotguns are not banned. However, the law as written has not been changed to remove any legal ambiguity.”

As this issue was going to press, NSSF was attempting to obtain legally reliable assurances from the Canadian government as to whether 12-gauge or 10-gauge shotguns can be lawfully exported to Canada.

Small, LaBarbera Programs Win Best of the Midwest Media Fest

SCI members Dan Small and Mark LaBarbera received two more prestigious awards for their

nationally recognized media work that promotes hunting and conservation to the public at large. Their “Deer Hunt Wisconsin” and “Wi ld Turkeys in Wisconsin” TV and online specials received top honors at the Best of the Midwest Media Fest awards competi-tion hosted in Milwaukee. Praised for h igh product ion va lues, the two programs rose to the top among entries from professionals across the country.

Dan and Mark won awards in prior years too.


Cal Ort shot this zebra.


Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Reportby Marty Witczak, President

Anticipation, excitement and nervousness were the emotions that were running high as my

wife, and friends Cal and Karen Ort, prepared to embark on our long waited African adventure. We boarded the plane at Chicago O’Hare airport Friday even ing March 6 th amid a l l the concerns from family and fr iends regarding leaving the country during the rampant spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus in China and several other countries. Had we known the serious-ness and speed in which this virus infected its victims and the task our president embraced to protect the citi-zens of the United States by closing down all travel in and out of the United States we would not have taken the risk and gone on our African trip.

However, we did not believe we would be caught in the middle so we left with the intentions of completing our hunt and

visiting Victoria Falls and then coming home before we could possibly be affected.

The four of us arrived in Johannes-burg, the largest city in South Africa, early Sunday morning March 9th and were greeted by our professional hunters Mark Mackenzie and Heinrich Van Zyl. We drove five hours to Wilton Valley Hunting Safaris Farm and Lodge near the Limpopo River and the border of Botswana. The staff and Jannie Otto the outfitter, welcomed and greeted us with open arms and made our experi-ence with Wilton Valley Hunting Safaris very pleasurable.

After a little unpacking and camp exploration, we all took a short ride to the gun range to site in our weapons. It was a beautiful, warm sunny late afternoon early evening for honing-in on our hunting shooting skills.

Once we left the gun range, we took a ride to appreciate the

beauty of the farm and the abundance of game. The ride ended with Cal shooting a pesky jackal. The f irst trophy of the week! Our first evening in camp ended with an excellent meal and some ser ious ta lk of trophy hunting dreams! Cal and I had some specif ic trophies in mind that we wanted to brag about taking on this hunting trip, until we began planning and executing our next hunt whenever and wherever that would be!

Monday morning dawned bright and early for me and Cal as we prepared for our f irst of f icial day of hunting. The plan was to be out of camp by 6:30 a.m. with our profes-sional hunters Mark and Heinrich leading the way. Mark and I went in one direction while Cal and Heinrich went in another direction.

By the end of the day, I had taken a huge eland

The author with his eland and, at right, his kudo


was He in r i ch ! T hey dined and drank tropical beverages at a local f a vo r i t e , t h e S PU R restaurant, inside the Sun City mall. They thor-oughly enjoyed their day spent with Heinrich and doing a bit of shopping!

Before we knew it, we were preparing for the next leg of our journey which wasn’t looking too promising according to the news we were hearing. The Corona-v i r u s wa s r ava g i n g China, Italy, Iran, South Korea and just begin-n i n g to i n v a d e t h e United States. While in camp we were notified by tex t tha t B r i t i s h A irways had a l ready cancelled our flight from London back to Chicago on the 21st of March. Our visit to Victoria Falls was beginning to look like a terribly missed opportu-nity instead of the wonderful, beautiful sight seeing experience that we envi-sioned when we made our plans last February 2019.

On our way back to Johannesburg and the airport we made an important stop at a world class taxidermist since 1981, Highveld Taxidermists. This is a family-owned business and has been serving hunters from all over the world, specializing in high quality African trophy mounts. Here, our hides would be tanned, shoulder mounts, pedestal mounts and specialized items would be created and perfected. It was a fascinating tour and well worth the time we took to meet the owners and view the employees at work.

Arriving in Johannesburg on Monday the 16th of March, we went straight to the airpor t to obtain plane tickets to get back to the states. We were fortunate to obtain tickets for all four of us on one of the last planes flying to the United States. We f lew Qatar Airways from Johannesburg to Saudi Arabia and then on to Chicago. We left early Tuesday morning on the 17th, spent the night at the airport in Saudi Arabia,

that weighed in over 1,650 lbs. and Cal had taken a beautiful older zebra. One that would make a very handsome rug to grace their homes’ living room floor! My wife Terri and Cal’s wife Karen were over the moon with the first days’ hunt and these beautiful trophies! Speaking of over the moon, later that night, we experienced a glorious full moon so close to us it felt like we could reach out and touch it! It will be a very long time before we all will forget about that stunning sight, the way it lit up the dark sky with its brilliance!

The rest of the week produced more warm sunny days and cool evenings spent eating delicious meals prepared from game recently taken and enjoying time spent around the campfire with our new friends and anticipating what the next days hunt would bring. By the end of the week I had taken a sable with a horn length of 41 inches and a very impressive kudu with a 56-inch horn length. Two very beautiful speci-mens. Cal finished his week by taking a bushbuck, a warthog and a sable. One horn measured 44 inches and the other one measured 39 inches. Terri and Karen occasionally accompanied us on our hunting expeditions and enjoyed the peace and quiet and the scenery. Let us face it, it didn’t hurt to have the extra pair of eyes looking for those beautiful animals we were hunting.

W e e s p e c i a l l y enjoyed seeing giraffes, hippos, many species of colorful birds, and all the beautiful examples o f t h e a n i m a l s w e hunted daily. It was also amazing to watch all the animals and even a croc daily that hung around the watering hole within camp. Terri and Karen took the day of f on Thursday to travel and sight-see with Heinrich to Sun City, known as A World within a City. It was a day filled with fun and relaxation, a little bit of haggl ing with the local artists to purchase a few African trinkets, and a visit to the Sun City Casino. The only one who lost money

left early Wednesday morning and flew 14.5 hours to Chicago. What a long couple of days but thankful that we were able to get home safely and healthy.

The last leg of our African journey wasn’t what we had p lanned or expected and will always be a part of our memories, but al l of us were thankful for the wonderful hunting expedition, the beautiful scenery and

game, and all the great new friendships that were forged during our safari hunt with Jannie Otto at Wil ton Val ley Hunting Safaris Farm and Lodge. My hope is that in the very near future all hunting/fishing shall be restored and those who had to cancel or postpone their hunting adventure will be able to proceed.

Take care, stay safe and healthy and God Bess you my friends.



by Kayci Martensen, age 16

I have always loved hunting and just being in the woods. I have been going hunting with my Dad since I

was three. I shot my first deer on the youth deer hunt with my dad when I was 10. I like hunting because I like observing animals and I like listening and watching the woods come alive in the morning.

Besides deer, we hunt turkeys, rabbits, racoons, and coyotes. I also love to go fishing.

It’s kind of weird that I love hunting so much because my sister hates it. She is a vegetar ian because she doesn’t like how animals are killed so she can eat. She understands that hunting helps control wildlife popula-tions, but she doesn’t get how it can be fun. She decided to become a vegetarian last October. I respect her choices but I will always continue to hunt and fish.

My Dad and I hunt with my uncle and cousins on my great uncle and great grandparent’s farm. Their farm is about 35 to 40 minutes from our house in Benton. I used to get so nervous before hunting that I could barely sleep the night before, but now I only get nervous if I’m about to pull the trigger.

This last season was one of the most memorable.

On opening morning, we arrived at the woods before it was light outside. It was around 35 degrees. Opening day is more exciting than the other days of the hunt for me, because it has been a whole year since the last time I deer hunted, and the deer aren’t really running from all of the gunshots yet.

I sat in a stand at the top of a field and my dad sat in a stand by the river, about 1,000 yards away from me. I didn’t see anything until later that morning when the neighbors got out of their tower stand. They scared two does and a decent buck from their property, over the fence, onto the proper ty that we hunt. The deer jumped the fence and ran as fast as they could, across the field in front of me, in the direction of my dad. I didn’t get a very good look at the buck

because he was going so fast. A couple of minutes later, the neighbors scared out 3 more doe and a spike buck. But instead of coming in front of me, they came through the woods behind me, down the hil l from my stand. This group of deer wasn’t in as big of a hurry as the first ones though. They eventua l l y made the i r way through the woods and out of sight. I wish I could have watched all of those deer longer even if I wasn’t going to shoot them because that’s one of my favorite things about hunting. I think it is so cool to watch how all of the different kinds of animals live differ-ently and interact with each other in the same environment. I learn about them by watching them and taking v ideos and pictures of them. We hunted pretty much all day, and in the afternoon we sat in dif ferent spots than the morning. I decided to sit in the same stand that my dad sat in that morning by the river, and he sat in our turkey blind at the top of the field. That afternoon, the only deer I saw were across the river. This is always a little discouraging because we can’t hunt over there.

Once it got closer to dusk, I started to hear some leaves crunching in the woods to my right. I readjusted so I would be ready to shoot if something came from my right. I waited, my eyes darting back and forth in between the trees. Eventually, three does came into sight. I thought about shooting, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to shoot a doe at that time or wait for a bigger buck. I decided to wait because more and more deer kept showing up, it was only opening day, and I had a lot of time lef t to hunt. It’s hard to wait because you don’t know what else is coming, but I also just like to watch the deer. At one time there were 8 does to my right. Some of them were only 15 yards away from me.

Then, a couple of small bucks came out of the woods following the doe. I looked closer and one was a pretty small 5-pointer and the other was a basket rack 6-pointer. They had no idea I was there, so I watched them

silently for about ten minutes. I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to shoot a doe or not. Eventually, they all made their way past my stand, into the cornfield in front of me, and then they crossed the river into the neighbor’s property. About 5 minutes after that group of deer was gone, I heard more leaves rustling to my right. Suddenly a nice 8-point buck came into sight. My heart started to pound. I didn’t have much time to get ready because he came almost straight to my stand at kind of a jog. He wasn’t sprinting but he wasn’t walking either. I don’t know why, but I quickly stood up and shot while he was stil l on my right. I’ve never shot at a deer whi le I was standing up before. My heart was pounding and I was so nervous that I barely even realized that I had stood up. I missed him. He turned slightly onto the trail that goes from the woods to the field in front of me. As fast as I could, I chambered another shell into my gun. He was now facing away from me and running towards the r iver where the other deer had crossed. I pulled my gun up, put the crosshairs behind his shoulder and pulled the tr igger. This time I hit him and he dropped! Everything happened so fast. I couldn’t really even believe it just happened. I felt like the whole thing lasted about 2 seconds.

I chambered the empty shell out of my gun and put it in my pocket. Then I put my gun to safety and called my dad. I told him about the deer and my heart was still pounding out of my chest. I had so much adrenaline. Even my voice sounded dif ferent than it usually did. I sat in my stand until dad got there. He told me nice job. I climbed to the ground and we walked over to the deer. I felt really proud of myself. He had a big body and a dark, almost symmetrical, rack. After we took pictures, I thanked God for giving me the accuracy to kill the deer and the opportunity to feed my family.

We decided to mount the buck so I’m saving money to pay for half of the mount. I can’t wait to get it back and hang it in my room.

My Sister is Vegetarian; I Hunt


CBW Syndrome Found Hereby Mark LaBarbera

Fish and wildlife management, and conservation overall, are facing challenges already. Now, there is

a new threat amidst the pandemic issues affecting midwestern states and the world.

CBWS has been discovered in Wisconsin.

Earlier this month, retired educator Mary Demo of Belmont in Lafayette Couty helped identify one of the worst cases of Conser vat ion Banquet Withdrawal Syndrome.

She found it in her own home. Her husband, Owen, was infected. Since then, she has seen signs that she too may be succumbing to it. SCI m e m b e r s i n c h a p t e r s a c r o s s Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota are on the alert in their communities.

Symptoms include restless legs, a feeling of claustrophobia or being cooped up, and an uncomfortable swelling of the wallet. Mood swings range from helplessness and isolation to a craving for social interaction.

Owen and Mary are among the notable conservation supporters in the region, if not the country. They are recognized by leading sporting organi-zations as consistent contributors to habitat and wi ldl i fe management programs that raise money that bene-fits many species.

“ I norma l l y a t tend 41 w i ld l i fe banquets a year,” says Owen. “I’m a believer in helping wildlife.”

As groups cancel fund-ra is ing events, they lose revenue critical to the i r conser vat ion miss ion. SCI dodged that bullet early in the year, but now, case-by-case, month-by-month and event-by-event, chapters of SCI and other organizations are forced to make decisions that affect funding for conservation, hunters’ rights, humani-tarian and youth education programs.

“ I ’m a member o f Pheasants Fo reve r, N a t i o n a l W i l d Tu r key Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Ruffed Grouse Society, Whitetails Unlimited and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,” said Owen, who also attends Friends of NRA, Quality Deer Management Association, and other banquets.

Those banquets have raised millions of dollars during the decades Owen

and Mary have joined other local volun-teers, donors and outdoor sports enthusiasts at local halls, convention centers and large meeting rooms. SCI members for years have been trying to teach the public through PBS TV productions, youth expos and educa-tion trailers that hunters and sporting conservation groups pay for conserva-tion. They help small businesses and the local economy as well as wildlife conservation and America’s outdoor her itage by buying l icenses, plus hosting fund-raisers that usually involve

a meal, raffles, auctions and social interaction.

Owen and Mary attend more of these events than anyone I know, and it’s not just because they love chicken, pulled pork or prime rib from Rex’s, Abbington, Grand Geneva, Stadium View, Grand Casino, or Golden Mast.

They attend because, as Owen said, they are believers in helping wildlife.

They also buy a lot of raffle tickets and bid on silent and live auction items. Every time I visit their Belmont home, Owen shows me the new guns, knives, art and other collectibles he has won since our last get-together. They are a testament to his consistent and long-standing commitment to the cause.

For now, as Owen searches for a CBWS cure and looks forward to a full

recovery, his collection will not grow as fast as normal. He did find a few online fund- ra i se rs and d id w in a 6.5 Creedmoor and another gun, but he says digital or virtual banquets are just not the same fun and interaction as traditional events. Until regular fund-raisers return, he wil l continue to occupy his time with other activities like yard work, walking the dog multiple times each day or visiting his own conservation property.

“My 235-acre farm is devoted to wildlife and is in woodland and CRP programs,” Owen mentioned. Next fall, he’ll return to pheasant hunting there when the season opens. His dog, Hunter, loves that time of year.

Long before CBW Syndrome, one organization’s contagious enthusiasm affected the Demo family and its farm.

According to Owen, “Pheasants Forever has heightened our devotion to improving our farm by providing better habitat for pheasants and other wild-life. It is our belief that the pheasant is one of the most beautiful wild birds and that all of us must do what we can to support it.”

Owen became one of the early PF Gold Patron members and at a later date Mary became a Gold Patron member. PF CEO Howard Vincent was impressed. But his eyes opened even wider with amazement when Owen announced recently that his dog Hunter would become PF’s first canine Gold Patron Member ($25,000).

Many local chapters of clubs and groups appreciate the suppor t of Owen and Mary Demo and hundreds of donors and contributors. SCI and all of the conservation groups are hoping for a cure to CBW Syndrome so SCI members and others like Owen and Mary can get back together to increase funding for the cause.

Own and Mary Demo, with their dog Hunter, visit habitat on their farm.Photo courtesy Pheasants Forever

SCI Asks WHOLeaders of 160 organizations sent this open letter to the World Health Organization to include conservation measures worldwide as part of the response to COVID-19 and avoid knee-jerk reactions that limit hunting and wildlife trade.

Summar y: The response to COVID-19 has demonstrated that transformational action is

possible if governments and citizens are convinced that the risks of inaction outweigh the costs.

We urgently need similar transfor-mational action to safeguard nature, delivering critical long-term benefits for both human and planetary health as part of our response to COVID-19.

Robust, long-lasting measures must be taken to safeguard and adequately fund the protection of nature and invest in science- and rights-based conser-vation and restoration.

Devastat ing as the COVID-19 pandemic is, recovery from this crisis provides an unparalleled moment to create a better and more sustainable future. We must change our relation-s h i p w i t h n a tu r e a n d d eve l o p appropriate strategies to equitably and sustainably manage the biodiversity upon which so many l ive l ihoods depend.

C h a n g e s m u s t b e i n c l u s i ve , wel l-considered and social ly and economically just, and every care must be taken not to exacerbate poverty and amplify existing inequalities.

The susta inable and inc lus ive management of nature is recognized throughout the UN as a key element to achieving poverty reduction objectives a n d m e e t i n g t h e S u s t a i n a b l e Development Goals.

Indiscriminate restrictions on wildlife trade will devastate livelihoods, cause major harm to human health and well-being and undermine human rights, without significant benefits for biodiver-sity or health. Strategic, equitable, coordinated and holistic approaches are more likely to reduce pandemic risks, achieve a better future for both human and planetary health, and should be a core component of future WHO/UNEP recommendations.

Open Letter to WHO:We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, commend the work the UN is doing to tackle the COVID-19 disease pandemic and its socio-eco-nomic consequences. The recently released UN Framework for the imme-diate socio-economic response to COVID-19 outlines the importance of shared responsibility and integration. However, more action is required, particularly on the environmental front.

Urgent, far-reaching steps must be taken to reduce zoonotic pandemic risks and secure a better future not only for humans but also for nature, which underpins the health and well-being of all humanity.

It is vital that any actions taken are appropriate and lead to socially just outcomes which contribute to – not detract from – the development of economically resilient livelihoods for those hundreds of mil l ions of the world’s most vulnerable who depend on wild resources for their survival.

COVID-19 is inflicting unprecedented social and economic costs on coun-tries and communities, with the poor and vulnerable hardest hit. The virus’ suspected links with a Chinese ‘wet market’ has led to calls to ban wet markets and restrict or end the trade and consumption – for medicines or food – of wildlife. However, indiscrimi-nate bans and restrictions risk being inequi tab le and inef fect ive. Wet markets, wildlife trade and consump-tion, and disease risks are all complex subjects. Wet markets (not all of which sell wild meat) provide invaluable food security; billions of people worldwide trade or consume wild meat and rely on wildlife use for livelihoods, while diseases are transmitted from livestock as well as wildlife.

There is an urgent need to tackle wildlife trade that is illegal, unsustain-

able or carries major risks to human health, biodiversity or animal welfare.

Certain high-risk activities may right-ful ly necessitate targeted and/or time-bound bans, or severe restrictions (and rigorous enforcement), but it is vital that any such action is specific, appropriate, and equitable.

If those targeted bans or severe restrictions are implemented, they should be accompanied by the mean-ingful provision of suitable alternative livelihoods for people affected.

Furthermore, long-term success will require a holistic approach, including tackling issues like land conversion and industrial agriculture, which are major drivers of pandemic risk as well as biodiversity loss. Any actions must be under taken in a targeted and socially just manner with due regard for human rights.

We recommend that the WHO and UNEP use their individual and collec-tive expertise to:

1. Work with the appropriate experts to identify areas and activities where wildlife trade and/or use poses high risks to zoonotic disease transmission, biodiversity conservation or welfare, and strengthen or develop tailored, locally appropriate strategies, with suit-a b l y i m p rove d r e g u l a t i o n a n d enforcement, along the entire supply chain to reduce those risks;

2. Initiate a coordinated response to the risks of pandemic emergence and biodivers i ty loss through the UN Environmental Management Group to raise ntergovernmental awareness of the important role biodiversity plays in underpinning human health, the health risks associated with habitat destruc-tion, and the value of sustainable use of biological resources (in line with Article 1 of the Convention on Biolog-ical Diversity (CBD) and guided by its 2004 Addis Ababa Principles);

3. Build partnerships across WHO, UNEP and other key stakeholders


including IUCN, FAO and WTO, to explore how health considerations could be better aligned with trade regulations within the CITES frame-work , i n c l ea r recogn i t i on tha t biodiversity loss, unregulated trade and human health are inextricably linked;

4. Effectively engage with the CBD’s ongoing process to develop the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and associated resource mobilization strategy to ensure biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used;

5. Support science- and human-rights-based, equitable approaches to conservation, in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and deliver comprehensive improvements to both human and planetary health.

The reasons for our recommenda-tions are set out in Annexe A, below the signatory list. 300 of the signatories (160 organizational signatories and 140 individual signatories) are shown below – more on online and will continue to be collected:

Organizational signatories: 1. !Khaodi // Hoas Conservancy

Kunene S., Namibia

39. European Fed. for Hunting & Cons., Belgium

40. European Sustainable Use Group, UK

41. Farm Africa, UK/Int’l 42. Fondation Camerounaise Terre

Vivante (FCTV), Cameroon 43. Frankfurt Zoological Society,

Germany/Int’l 44. FundAmazonia, Peru 45. Fur Institute of Canada (FIC),

Canada 46. Game Ranchers Forum, South

Africa 47. Gcatjinga Community Forest,

Kavango West, Namibia 48. Gender CC Woman for Climate

Justice, South Africa 49. Geo Wild Consult, South Africa 50. George Mukoya Conservancy

Kavango East, Namibia 51. Giraffe Conservation Foundation,

Namibia/Int’l 52. Gonarezhou Conservation Trust,

Zimbabwe 53. Greenhood Nepal, Nepal 54. Guide Outfitting Assoc. of British

Columbia, Canada 55. Hans Kanyinga Community

Forest Kavango West, Namibia 56. Houston Safari Club, USA 57. Huab Conservancy (Kunene

Region), Namibia 58. Integrated Rural Dev and Nature

Conservation, Namibia 59. Interdisc. Centre for Cons.

Science & Oxford Martin Prog on Illegal Wildlife Trade, UK

60. Int Fur Federation, UK/’l 61. Ipumbu Ya Tshilongo (North

Central), Namibia 62. IUCN Group Sustainable Use and

Mgmt of Ecosystems, Int’l 63. IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group,

Int’l 64. IUCN SSC Caprinae Specialist

Group, Int’l 65. IUCN SSC-CEESP Sustainable

Use & Livelihoods Spec Grp Int’l

66. IUCN Wildlife Health Specialist Group, Int’l

67. Wildlife Producers Assoc. of Zambia, Zambia

68. IWMC World Conservation Trust, Switzerland/Int’l

69. Jamma Int’l, UK/Int’l

70. Japan Falconiformes Center, Japan

71. Kahenge Community Forest Kavango West, Namibia

72. Kapinga Kabwalye Comm. Forest Kavango W., Namibia

73. Kasungu Wildlife Cons. for Comm. Development, Malawi

74. Katope Community Forest Kavango West, Namibia

75. Keystone Foundation, India 76. Kunene Conservancy Assoc.

(KRCCA), Namibia 77. Kunene River Conservancy

Kunene, Namibia 78. Likwaterera Community Forest

Kavango W., Namibia 79. Lion Landscapes, Kenya 80. Mahenye Community Committee,

Zimbabwe 81. Malagasy Youth Biodiversity

Network, Madagascar 82. Marienfluss Conservancy

Kunene, Namibia 83. Masoka CAMPFIRE Assoc.,

Zimbabwe 84. Masoka Community, Zimbabwe 85. Maurisi Nekaro Conservancy

Kavango East, Namibia 86. Mbeyo Community Forest

Kavango West, Namibia 87. Mbire Rural District Council,

Zimbabwe 88. Muduva Nyangana Cons.

(Kavango E.), Namibia 89. Namibia Nature Foundation

(NNF), Namibia 90. Namibian Chamber of

Environment, Namibia 91. Namibian Org. of CBNRM

Support Orgs., Namibia 92. Ncamacoro Community Forest

Kavango West, Namibia 93. Ncaute Community Forest

Kavango West, Namibia 94. Ngamiland Council of Non-Gov’t

Orgs., Botswana 95. Norwegian Pet Trade Assoc.,

Norway 96. Okandundumba Conservancy

Kunene, Namibia 97. Okanguati Conservancy Kunene,

Namibia 98. Okatjandjakozomenje

Conservancy Kunene, Namibia 99. Okondjombo Conservancy

Kunene, Namibia

100. Okongoro Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

101. Ombazu Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

102. Ombombo masitu Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

103. Ombujokanguindi Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

104. Ongongo Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

105. Ornamental Fish Int’l (OFI), The Netherlands

106. Orupembe Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

107. Orupupa Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

108. Otjambangu Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

109. Otji West Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

110. Otjikondavirongo Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

111. Otjikongo Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

112. Otjimboyo Conservancy (Erongo Region), Namibia

113. Otjindjerese Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

114. Otjitanda Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

115. Otjombande Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

116. Otuzemba Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

117. Ozondundu Conservancy Kunene, Namibia

118. People for Pangolins, Int’l 119. Puros Conservancy Kunene,

Namibia 120. Resource Africa South Africa,

South Africa 121. Resource Africa UK, UK 122. Ruaha Carnivore Project,

Tanzania 123. Safari Club Int’l Foundation,

USA 124. Sanitatis Conservancy Kunene,

Namibia 125. Save the Rhino Trust Namibia,

Namibia 126. Sesfontein Conservancy

Kunene, Namibia 127. Sheya Shuushona Cons. (N.

Central Region), Namibia 128. Sidinda Community Comiittee,

Zimbabwe 129. Sikunga Conservancy (Zambezi

Region), Namibia

21. Conservation Outcomes, South Africa

22. Conservation Through Public Health, Uganda

23. Conservation Visions, Canada 24. Creative Conservation Solutions,

Australia 25. Cuma CF Community Forest

Kavango W., Namibia 26. Custodians of Prof. Hunting &

Cons., S. Africa 27. Dallas Safari Club, USA 28. Earthmind, Switzerland 29. Eco Ranger Group, South Africa 30. EcoHealth Alliance, USA 31. Ecolife Expeditions, South Africa 32. Ehirovipuka Conservancy –

Kunene Region, Namibia 33. Endangered Wildlife Trust, South

Africa 34. Env. Conservation Trust of

Uganda, Uganda 35. Env. Fdn for Africa, Sierra Leone 36. Epupa Conservancy Kunene,

Namibia 37. Erongo Reg. Conservancy Assoc.

(NW), Namibia 38. Etanga Conservancy Kunene,

Namibia

2. 1StopBorneo Wildlife, Brunei 3. African Wildlife Foundation,

Kenya/Int’l 4. Afrivet, South Africa 5. Ambrosisus A. Comm. Forest

Kavango W, Namibia 6. Anabeb Conservancy Kunene,

Namibia 7. Asocaiman, Colombia 8. Assoc. of Fish & Wildlife

Agencies, USA 9. Assoc. OKANI, Cameroon 10. AFND, Democratic Republic of

the Congo 11. Balepye Community, South Africa 12. Botswana Wildlife Producers

Assoc. (BWPA), Botswana 13. Cameroon Youth Biodiversity

Network, Cameroon 14. CAMPFIRE Assoc., Zimbabwe 15. CIC – Int’l Council for Game &

Wildlife Cons., US/Int’l 16. Climate Change Coalition Group,

Zimbabwe 17. COMFAUNA, Latin America 18. Conservation Alliance Int’l, Ghana 19. Conservation Alliance Sierra

Leone, Sierra Leone 20. Conservation Frontlines Fdn,

USA/South Africa


130. Sorris Sorris Conservancy (Southern Kunene), Namibia

131. South African Hunters & Game Cons. Assoc., S. Africa

132. South African Wingshooters Assoc., S. Africa

133. South African Youth Biodiversity Network, S. Africa

134. South Asia Reptile Conservation Alliance, Int’l

135. Southern African Wildlife Mgmt. Assoc., S. Africa

136. Stellenbosch University, South Africa

137. Support for Women in Ag & Env., Uganda

138. Sustainable Users Network, UK 139. Tanzania Nat. Resources

Forum, Tanzania 140. The Conservation Coalition

Botswana, Botswana 141. The Development Institute,

Ghana 142. The Game Rangers Assoc. of

Africa, S. Africa 143. The Wildlife Society, USA 144. Torra Conservancy Kunene

South, Namibia 145. Tsiseb Conservancy (Erongo

Region), Namibia 146. Uibasen Conservancy

(Southern Kunene), Namibia 147. Uukwaludhi Cons. (N. Central

Reg.), Namibia 148. Wild Africa Conservation, Niger 149. Wild Sheep Foundation, USA 150. Wildlife & Env. Soc. of Southern

Africa, S. Africa 151. Wildlife Env. Soc. of Malawi,

Malawi 152. Wildlife Producers Assoc., S.

Africa 153. Wildlife Producers Assoc. of

Zambia, Zambia 154. Wildlife Ranching South Africa,

South Africa 155. WILDOCEANS, South Africa 156. Women Env. Program, Nigeria 157. Women in Conservation

(Kunene Reg.), Namibia 158. Working Dogs for Conservation,

USA 159. Zambia CBNRM Assoc.,

Zambia 160. Zambia Nat’l Community Res.

Bd. Assoc., Zambia

Anatomy Help WantedIn the May/June issue of this

magazine, we shared the story of a buck that was

found dead by rabbit hunters a n d h ow i t wa s u s e d by mentors teach students about nature’s l i fe cycle. It was a lesson about how dead animals help provide critical sustaining nutrients for other lifeforms.

Throughout the winter, trail cameras captured images and v ideo of the snow-covered buck being consumed by mink, coyote, possum, raccoon and even an eagle. When the snow melted, only bones were left, and they were nearly picked clean.

That tr iggered a thought: How could the bones be recy-cled to educate even more youth and the adult public?

I n sp r i ng , the O u tdoo r Heritage Education Center’s Mark LaBarbera, an SCI Life M e mb e r a nd Sa b l e s L i f e Member, delivered the skull, spine, ribs and front shoulder bones to Brian Marx of Whispering Pines Taxidermy. They formulated a plan.

The plan was to create a skeletal version of something like a whitetail

shoulder mount with a side view using the bones left on the landscape. The idea was to bui ld i t anatomical ly correct and sturdy enough to survive thousands of miles of bumpy roads in one of OHEC’s sensory safari Touch of

the Wild trailers.They added a tube to show

windpipe location and painted foam to depict heart, liver and lungs.

You can see the mount in the attached photos.

Here’s where we need your help.

Can you tell what’s missing?Please look closely at the

images before reading further.I’ll give you the answer in a

minute. The mount would not only

teach anatomy and biology, but i t could be used by hunter education instructors as they talk about proper, ethical shot p l acement. S tudents and teachers would benefit. It’s an amazingly engaging concept sure to capture and hold the attention of youth and the public as we teach them about wildlife

Foam lungs, liver and heart were added to teach anatomy and shot placement.

and the hunter’s posi t ive ro le in conservation.

Meanwhi le, here are two other issues that could use your help. First, an anatomically correct deer or bear

Young rabbit hunters came across the dead deer whose meat had already gone bad.

mount should be in each of OHEC’s Touch of the Wild trailers to reach as many students and adults as possible. This first attempt is not enough. More and better mounts will be needed

and put to good use as soon as possible.

Second, the mounts are going to need to be much more stable with heavy duty support rods if they are going to survive life on the road. The good news about creating new exhibits and getting it done with entrepreneurial speed is that you can prove a concept works. The bad news is that you learn what you need to do better when the first attempt falls short.

OHEC already discovered that this first attempt with wire and glue is not strong enough to hold everything together on the road. The next attempt needs to be built stronger and more durable.

Now for the answer. The breast bone is missing. Critters carried it away.

N o t o n l y d o e s L i f e M e m b e r LaBarbera need a complete deer skel-eton, breast bone included, or at least the front half of a whitetail and bear, but he could use at least four of them for the growing Touch of the Wild sensory safari fleet.

And the current attempt will end up in a nature center or hunter education c lassroom where i t w i l l not get bounced around week after week.

So, please let Mark know if:• You have any skeletons in your

closet;• You are a taxidermist who cares

about outdoor education;• You are a hunter who is willing to

underwrite these exhibits or pitch in; or

• You have any ideas about how to help this project succeed.

Please email him at [email protected]

Brian Marx of Whispering Pines Taxidermy cleaned up the skeleton and mounted it for the education trailer.


Pole-Cam BassA new way for big bass hunters to scout

Beyond a few feet of water, bass and other fish avoid visual detec-tion via the mere presence of the

aquatic blanket. They’re further sepa-rated and shrouded from the terrestrial world by surface glare, wave action and planktonic veils that reduce water clarity. Providing even greater security, boat docks, flooded trees and matted vegetation invite angler curiosity, yet prevent us from seeing what actually lies beneath. The darker and more impenetrable the hideout, the greater its chances, it seems, that a big fish might live there.

Polarized sunglasses help when the water’s extra clear and calm. But what

to do when fish go where our eyes—and sonar beams— can’t?

An emerging and truly enthralling method of scouting for shallow water bass, crappies and other species, ‘pole-camming’—connecting an under-wa te r c a m e r a to a te l e s c o p i c pole— reveals amazing perspectives of shallow cover, looking deep into places anglers rarely see.

“You can’t believe the rewards of inspecting underwater habitat with an Aqua-Vu camera connected to a pole unti l you’ve tr ied it,” asser ts Kim Stricker, professional scuba diver, angler and host of Hook ‘N Look TV.

“Anglers think of overhead cover in terms of how it looks on the surface,”

Str icker says. “But f rom a f ish’s perspective, it’s a whole other universe. And the ability to accurately visualize the underwater world can make all the difference in our success as anglers.”

For Stricker and other practi-tioners, shallow water telescoping is accomplished by attaching the housing of an Aqua-Vu HD series or 715C underwater camera to the end of a telescopic pole. Equipped with XD™ Quick Attachment capa-bility, the Aqua-Vu lens housing allowing for instant connection to an array of underwater viewing accesso-ries. The XD Pole Adaptor connects to any male-threaded pole, including painter’s poles and angling push- poles, such as the SuperStick, which fit neatly into a boat’s rod storage.

“Before casting into an area of matted vegetation, such as pads, milfoil, hydrilla or various weedy ‘gunge,’ I’ll dip the lens into and underneath the mat to

get a better understanding of the terrain,” adds Stricker. “I get to see if baitfish, such as bluegills, are present. Bluegills almost always mean you’ve got some largemouths living here. I can see how the vegetation grows beneath the surface, and any underwater lanes or thicker clumps that aren’t evident from above. The camera also shows divots in the bottom, and extra dark areas beneath the veg, which can both be bass magnets.”

Oftentimes, Stricker also gains valu-able visual intel about bass positioning, w h i c h a i d s i n l u r e s e l e c t i o n . “Sometimes, I’ll spot bass hunkering right beneath the surface mat, just inches below the surface. If I go in there with a Texas-rigged worm or punch with a jig, the bait will plummet past the bass too fast and fail to garner a strike. But by seeing bass positioned just below, I’ll choose a lure that stays aloft, tossing a frog, buzzbait or a weightless plastic

worm. Visual confirmation of bass pres-ence and position can absolutely mean severa l b ig bass in the boat, as opposed to driving away fishless, or thinking bass aren’t even in the vicinity.”

When Stricker talks to anglers around the nation, he’s surprised by the incor-rect perception that an underwater camera only works in extra clear water. “The reality is, even if the water looks stained to your eyes, the Aqua-Vu will often give you a nice clean underwater picture. Sometimes, even in dirty water, all you need is a few feet of visibility to confirm the presence of fish or baitfish, or to inspect the underwater configura-tion of cover.

“An Aqua-Vu mounted to the end of a pole gives you total control to look in any direction. It’s a fun and truly remark-able way to v iew the underwater world—even in shallow water—and gain a whole new perspective on your fishing.”

Expert angler Kim Stricker peeks beneath matted vegetation to gain a valuable underwater perspective.


Darryl Knight’s Elandb by Darryl Knight

“Wait….wait……the second one……..No, no, no………NOW!”

Immediate deafness in my left ear follows the shot, and I examine the area for the eland. It is down and dying but not dead. I will not abide suffering and put a follow-up shot on target, and all movement stops. My heart rate and breathing begin returning to normal.

Redemption.The sun was behind the trees by the

time Eric the Tracker returned with the truck. We took the requisite photo-graphs and then loaded the imposing antelope. During the interim wait, Janneman shared a story of his first eland and then allowed me time to reflect on my week in Namibia.

Kalahari Safaris ranch in Namibia was in a high desert setting with bushes that grew in interlocking clumps ranging between three and seven feet in height and with spreads of four to 40 feet. Every bit of flora comes with protection. The prettiest blooms all had thorns or stickers of various sizes. Trees and bushes came with the ability to snag you and your clothes, tearing both and creating a great deal of accompanying noise.

Krista and I arrived at the ranch with me wearing a walking boot holding a short list of less common plains game with an eland as the top priority. I had torn my calf muscle in my lef t leg walking down some stairs, not saving a damsel in distress, thwarting a terrorist or even winning the rubber chicken throw at the Iowa State Fair. A trip to the orthopedist resulted in being fitted for a walking boot. He said I would be in the boot for three weeks. No magic shot or miracle pill for me. However, a sore leg was not about to keep me from this trip, so four days later we were Africa. Of course, one of the first impressions I made on the owner/professional hunter (PH) was struggling to get up and down the stairs in the lodge. Fortunately for me, Janneman Brand is a top notch professional and dedicated to providing the experience of a lifetime, so he did everything he could to accommodate me and ensure we had a memorable time.

On Monday, Day 1, the boot came off and we celebrated this by chasing a herd of Kalahari Springbuck for most of the morning, afternoon and evening. In the morn ing, we had a chance encounter with eland, but unable to get a solid sight picture, I did not take a shot. I did take a Springbuck that evening, but only after confirming that my eyesight in twilight had progressed from barely fair to poor.

That first evening of the hunt I was initiated into Janneman’s hunt proce-dures. After the round was fired, instead of charging down to the animal, we patiently waited until the surrounding an imals had e i ther le f t the area completely or retreated to a distance and calmed down. After all activity had ceased, we slowly walked down to the animal, helping to reduce the animal’s fear of man and to separate the death of the animal from the arrival of the hunter. I also had the honor of taking part in the ritual with which Janneman paid tribute to both the animal taken and the hunter. Janneman gave me a twig to place in the animal’s mouth after dipping it in blood, providing him nutri-tion in the afterlife. He then presented me a similar twig for my hat to indicate a successful hunt. I grew to be very proud of those small twigs.

In the days that followed, Janneman and I used a good bit of shoe leather in taking a beautiful Black Wildebeest. The Black Wildebeest involved long hands and knees crawls (through the afore-mentioned thorns) to get a good shot. My shot was clean, and I felt very good about the effort put into the stalk. This was hard hunting and that is what I came to Namibia to do, hunt. I collected a second twig and wore it proudly.

Meanwhi le back at the ranch, Janneman’s wife and partner, Aldalene, prepared such insanely sumptuous meals that without our twice-a-day forays into the brush I may have had a hard time convincing friends I had been hunting and not on an all-you-can-eat cruise as I gained weight during this holiday. They were fantastic hosts whose concern for us was genuine. They made us feel like old friends on a special holiday, not just clients.


We had not seen any evidence of eland since Monday, and it was now Thursday. There are three elements required for a successful hunt: hunting, finding and shooting. We were experts at hunting, and Janneman and Eric were doing their job at finding. The shooting part was a bit sketchy on my part.

Thursday, every step I took with my left foot shot waves of pain up my calf that I can only describe as being stabbed with a hot hat pin. I also had lost almost all strength in that calf.

Several hours into our stalk, I decided I wasn’t getting enough attention. Climbing through a fence, I found my left leg would not support my fat ass, and I proceeded to put on a show by first stumbling a few steps and then rolling around on the ground looking like a geriatric break dancer just prior to being given the hook on “The Gong Show.” We had no success finding any game that morning, most likely due to my impromptu show and the accompa-nying noise it produced.

Thursday evening, about an hour before sunset, Janneman and Eric

spotted clan eland (Are these animals always in a group?) and we began our stalk. Did I mention that Janneman really likes to high crawl? After a short walk we began our requisite crawl. A nice long crawl, (through the infamous thorns of the plains) followed by a peek around a bush and then another crawl to another bush when Janneman whis-pered, “Shoot of f my shoulder.” I shuffled up on my hands and knees, but we were too low. Janneman set up the sticks and I started to stand up. Immediately my left leg collapsed and down I went. I looked like a pregnant armadillo in labor. My only hope was the clan eland would be so mesmerized by the show I was putting on that they would stay put instead of running off. Unfortunately, they felt the show was not worth sticking around for and they exited stage right. I apologized immedi-ately to Janneman and Eric, feeling overwhelmingly ashamed of my blunder.

Friday morning, Janneman reminded me that on Monday he told me he wanted me to be able to hunt the entire week and not just the first day or two. It was a well-deserved, albeit gentle,

chastisement. I decided I needed to make a better effort to suck it up and get with the program.

We headed out with eland in mind, but within an hour cut Red Hartebeest tracks. Being one of my shor tl ist animals, we changed tack and pursued. Within an hour, we were in sight of the unique antelope and, after a relatively short stalk, we completed all three elements required for a successful hunt (I believe Janneman was slightly disap-pointed as we had not been required to crawl on this stalk).

On Friday night I doubted we would get another chance at an eland. Despite Janneman and Eric’s best efforts, eland had indeed eluded us and disappeared into the thick brush without leaving a trace. We had one last day and I knew that I would judge the hunt a success regardless of Saturday’s outcome. However, knowing this was my last chance for an eland, I barely slept. I was ready to go early on Saturday morning.

We hunted hard for the huge ante-lopes, but after a few hours we had covered a great deal of territory with no sign whatsoever. We moved to a new

area and finally cut some eland tracks. We headed off in pursuit. Several miles later, we were getting closer to success. Janneman told me to chamber a round and adrenaline surged through my veins. On f inding fresh poop, Eric climbed a tree to get a better view of the area. The eland were directly in front of us. They headed off at a trot, and we followed in the hope they would settle down quickly and have some lunch.

We got close again, but they bolted away.

Janneman decided it would be best if we went back to eat and allowed them to gain some distance until they felt safe.

After a short respite, we climbed back into the Land Cruiser and headed back to the area we last saw eland. When we resumed tracking the ante-lopes, my respect for Janneman and

Eric grew exponentially, and it was already quite high before then. The determination they exhibited was impressive. It was very apparent they were going to do everything in their power to get me a shot at an eland. The tracking was difficult as the ground was hard and tracks were confusing at times, but they stayed on the trail like the P inker tons a f te r Butch and Sundance. I could imagine the eland thinking, “Who are these guys?”

Eland are large and very athletic. They can clear 8-10’ fences, so the five-foot barbed wire fence we encountered was noth ing for them to hurdle. However, the fence did prove a little more difficult an obstacle for me. With no way to get through the fence, it was up and over. I stepped up and swung my left leg over the fence. But when I attempted to push off on my left leg so

I could pivot and swing my right leg over, my left leg went into full rebellion. I was now straddling the fence with rusty barbs very close to my “Kalahari Chestnuts.” Both Eric and Janneman seemed to be quite amused by my predicament. I certainly could not fault them for that. After a minute (and a few more attempts at lifting myself over), I was able to use my arms to push off Eric’s shoulder and clear the fence with only a few punctures in my large behind.

We pressed on, putting as much distance between me and the fence as possible. We had been on the move well over two hours since this round of tracking began. The poop was fresher now, tracks more distinct and our blood was up. I was very worried as the sun was dropping rapidly. I did not want to be in a low light situation when we passed the finding stage and it came time for shooting element.

Suddenly all movement in front of me stopped. Janneman turned and whis-pered, “Be ready.” Not moving, I was still able to look over his shoulder and see a cow eland looking right at us. I realized that there would be no eland for me, because if they took off, we would never be able to run them down in the 30-40 minutes left before sundown. The cow eland continued to watch us as intently as we watched her. She then dropped her head and went back to grazing. The sticks went up, I quickly settled in and just as quickly the herd began moving from left to right, tightly bunched and then hidden in a copse. Janneman snatched the shooting sticks and quickly moved to our right, about 40 yards, circling a dense thicket and setting the sticks up again. To our front were two dense thickets with a narrow open spot of about only 20 feet between them.

I wiped off my scope, settled in on the sticks and waited. Nothing. Had they dashed of f and e luded us? Suddenly clan eland appeared. As they headed through the narrow shooting zone Janneman searched for the bull we wanted. He appeared but was covered by a cow.

But then the bull paused for one second putting him behind the cow before continuing toward the cover of the thicket and the opportunity for redemption came.

Thank you Kalahari Safaris.


by Mark LaBarbera

One good thing about this year’s stay-at-home days is that it gives all of us more time to

think about what is important in our lives. It put things in perspective, making them crystal clear to see. Call it 2020 vision.

When things were normal not that long ago, our daily routines were almost on auto-pilot, with inertia and momentum keeping us moving in the same direction. But now that the new reality forced most of us to slow down, we have had time to reflect on our future choices and life’s direction.

We saw the heroism of essential workers. We heard news of neighborly good deeds, friends helping friends, and strangers helping those in need. We feel gratitude for those who continue to serve.

Many of us obediently hunkered down, doing our part to contain the

The Time to DecideDid you ever stand on the ledges,

On the brink of the great plateau And look from their jagged edges On the country that lay below?

When your vision met no resistance And nothing to stop your gaze,

Till the mountain peaks in the distance Stood wrapped in a purple haze.

On the winding water courses And the trails on the mountain sides, Where you guided your patient horses

On your long and lonesome rides.

When you saw Earth’s open pages And you seemed to understand

As you gazed on the work of ages, Rugged and rough, but grand.

There, the things that you thought were strongest And the things that you thought were great,

And for which you had striven longest Seemed to carry but little weight.

While the things that were always nearer, The things that you thought were small;

Seemed to stand out grander and clearer. As you looked from the mountain wall.

While you’re gazing on such a vision And your outlook is clear and wide,

If you have to make a decision, That’s the time and place to decide.

Although you return to the city And mingle again with the throng;

Though your heart may be softened by pity Or bitter from strife and wrong.

Though others should laugh in derision, And the voice of the past grow dim;

Yet, stick to the cool decision That you made on the mountain’s rim.

2020 Vision: Time to Decidespread. Inside, we could only clean the house and garage, and rearrange our stuff, so many times. There’s a limit to how many hours we could sit at a desk or on a couch to take care of paper-work or read, do puzzles or watch TV.

Outdoors, we spent time doing farm work, fixing equipment, preparing the garden, caring for the lawn, or simply taking a walk. Even if we don’t run out of things to do, we find ourselves, once again, thinking about what’s important in life.

The most universal answers are faith, family and friends, and spending quality time together doing the things we enjoy most in places that soothe the soul.

The pandemic had a way of making us think about our bucket list, and mine now includes minnow buckets and bait buckets, because I’m plan-ning to treat myself to more adventures w i th in e a sy d r i v i ng d i s t a nc e . Wisconsin fishing resorts and outdoor destinations are higher on my list than ever before, along with supper clubs that serve a great brandy old fashion.

Whether we immerse ourselves in nature’s quiet solitude or simply pause to reflect wherever we are, indoors or out, now is a good time to decide where we want to go from here and how we want to spend our time to help the economic recovery. For me, lodges, guides and outfitters are a good p lace to star t r ight now. Wisconsin tourism businesses need us like we need them.

Personally, I have always found clarity afield or afloat. Quiet places, where nature’s serenity helps me see things clearly and set aside distrac-tions that otherwise seemed like priorities.

My new 2020 vision is not going to be clouded by the false urgency of things that are not really that important in life. The key has always been then to stick with decisions made during these moments of clarity, whether pandemic- induced o r bucket- list-inspired.

At times like this I’m reminded of my favorite cowboy poem “The Time to Decide” by the late Bruce Kiskaddon. His words are as fitting today as when he published them in 1924.


Wingshooters: No More ExcusesProtect your hearing on every pull of the triggerby Josh Lantz

October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, a time to raise awareness about what all of us

can do to protect our hearing. In the outdoors space, far too many wing-shooters take to the f ield without hearing protection.

With fall’s upland and waterfowl hunting seasons underway, wing-shooters across the country are taking to the fields and wetlands to experience the joys and rewards of bird hunting. Whether lining the edge of a sunflower field with family or friends during a tradi-tional dove hunt, following the dogs through the CRP in pursuit of flushing pheasants, or sharing coffee in a blind while waiting for decoying ducks and

geese, bird hunting is unique is many respects.

These kinds of hunts of fer opportunities for a lot of shooting, and volleys at birds often come from multiple shotguns. For these reasons, more water fowl and upland hunters should wear

hear ing protect ion. Sadly, most do not, and it doesn’t make any sense. We don’t think twice about protecting ou r hea r i ng a t the range, but far too many hunters take to the field with no protection at all.

Most forms of bird hunting are also social affairs where communi-cation is encouraged – whether it’s tell ing j o k e s o r s t o r i e s between shots, or stra-

te g i c c o m m u n i c a t i o n t h a t improves the group’s coordination or enhances safety. This is a common excuse many b i rd hunters give for not wearing hearing protection in the field. Some also point out that hearing protection can interfere with their ability to hear approaching waterfowl.

“These excuses just don’t hold any water,” says Ken Perrotte, a popular outdoor writer, U.S. Air Force veteran,

longtime Army civil ian, and avid wingshooter. To Perrot te, the issue of hearing loss is a highly personal one. He spent years around flight lines and other f ield training environments with lots of live fire going on around him – every thing from small arms to ar ti l lery. Throw in a l i fet ime of recreational and military shooting – often without hearing protection – and it b e c o m e s c l e a r w h y Perrotte today suf fers from tinnitus (constant ringing in the ears) and has lost about 50% of his

hearing in his left ear and 30-40% in his right.

Wh i l e cont inued exposure to dangerous noise can cause hearing loss within hours, impulse noises like those produced by a firearm can cause permanent damage instantly. This means every shot fired has the potential to damage the ears of the shooter or anyone else nearby. That said, noise-in-duced hearing loss usually happens gradually. Ultimately, when the special-ized tissues and structures in the ear—along with related brain func-tions—take enough abuse, they lose their functionality for the rest of a person’s life.

The injury is largely painless and happens over time. Hunters who don’t protect their ears don’t realize the incre-mental damage being done until it’s too late. The good news for upland and waterfowl hunters is that hearing loss is 100% preventable through the consis-tent use of appropriate and properly fitted hearing protection. And today’s

Avid hunter, Ken Perrotte, made a vow to himself and his family several years ago to never pull another trigger without hearing protection. Photo courtesy of OutdoorsRambler.com.

Ken and his Boykin spaniel, Jameson, wait out fast-flying doves. Photo courtesy of OutdoorsRambler.com.

electronic earmuffs are a fantastic choice.

Electronic earmuffs combine passive sound attenuation with analog or digital circuitry to compress or “shave the peaks off” dangerous sounds above a certain level. These models employ external microphones, internal speakers and a gain adjustment, allowing the user to hear surrounding sounds at normal or even louder-than-normal levels, which is extremely helpful for conducting conversation or listening for approaching waterfowl.

Perrotte is a fan of the Honeywell Howard Leight Impact Sport in Olive

Drab or MultiCam® Original camouflage for dove and waterfowl hunting, and Impact Sport Bolt in safety orange for upland hunting situations. “Both models are low-profile, so they don’t interfere when shouldering the gun, and are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day,” he says. “And because my hearing is already compromised, the fact that they offer amplification is super helpful. I can turn up the gain and easily communicate with other members of my hunting party – you know, ‘bluebills coming in from the left!’ ‘watch out for the dog!’, that k ind of impor tant communication.” Impact Sport is also

available in MultiCam Alpine – an ideal choice for snow goose hunting, other late season waterfowl hunts, or pred-ator hunts in the snow.

With today’s amplifying electronic earmuffs, bird hunters have no more excuses for not protecting their hearing in the field. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Have fun in the f ield, be safe, and protect your ears. It’s never been easier.

Learn more about Honeywell Howard Leight’s complete line of quality hearing- and eye-protect ion products at HowardLeightShootingSports.com.

Follow Ken Perrotte’s outdoor adven-tures at OutdoorsRambler.com.

WHEIA Awards ScholarshipsThe Wisconsin Hunter Education

Instructor Association (WHEIA) is pleased to announce that three

UW-Stevens Point students are each the recipients of a $500 scholarship. The purpose of this annual Wisconsin-w ide scho la rsh ip program is to recognize and provide financial assis-tance to students pursuing a degree in natural resources, fisheries & wildlife fields of study who demonstrate scho-lastic achievement, leadership ability,

and dedication to wildl i fe conservation.

The scholarship recipients are:• Eli Halverson, Stoughton.• Claire Jensen, De Pere.• Adam Tess, Sun Prairie.Partner organizations like SCI join

WHEIA in recognizing these scholar-ship recipients and wish them well in their educational and career pursuits.

WHEIA, www.whe ia.com, is a Wisconsin nonprofit corporation public

charity. The mission of WHEIA is to ensure the future of Wisconsin’s hunting heritage through Hunter Safety Educa t i on t a rge ted educa t i on, research and management partner-ships at the grass-roots level and beyond.

For further information contact: Ray Ande rson, VP and Scho la rsh ip Committee Chair, WHEIA via email at rande rsw@gma i l .com o r phone 608-698-9086.


by Loren Voss

People ask me how I can sit in a blind all day staring at an empty field.

What my eyes see in the picture is a cut bean field with some snow on it.

What my memory recounts and what I relive is the following.

Many years ago, Emer y, the farmer who owns this field, wanted to go turkey hunting with me. As a cancer survivor, Emery got cold easily and wanted a blind that could be heated. Emery and I built this blind with another one to the West in the field named the Red Roof. Why is it called the Red Roof? When Emer y and I bui l t these blinds, we used scrap material he

had in his sheds on the farm. The Red Roof blind has a red pickup box cover for the roof. Thus, it is called the Red Roof blind, and it is f i l led with memories from “the field.”

E m e r y a n d I s p e n t m a n y wonder ful hours at the f ield in the two bl inds and shot some nice birds. Emery is no longer on this earth, but his memory keeps me company when th ings are slow.

My son-in- law and my son’s father-in-law have shot birds that I called into range from these blinds. I remember the looks on their faces when they harvested their birds.

I have shot turkeys, coyotes and deer using shotgun, muzzleloader

and crossbow out of both of the blinds at the field.

You may wonder why I say using a shotgun and not a rifle out of these blinds. Emery did not want rifles used on his land for hunting. When the land owner lets you hunt and he makes a rule, that’s the rule. Even though Emery in is heaven, that was his rule and I still abide by it.

So, when people ask me how I can sit all day staring into an empty field, I just think silently that the field is never empty. It is filled with memories full of sights, sounds and success. My memory sees a grand-son’s first buck; my one minute into the gun season buck; a coyote

The Field

belly-crawling my deer decoy (last one he ever did); the toms strutting in the f ield; hens tending their poults; a big tom one foot in front of the blind; chasing down a tom that was shot in the foot; the day I could have shot the Wisconsin Trifecta. You see, I shot a turkey in the morning, a coyote in the afternoon and I could have shot a buck before the end of that same day (I should have shot the buck).

Even when the field looks empty, I see it full of other memories, like

the toms that came into range with one call; the toms that wouldn’t come in no matter what calls I used; does wi th the i r fawns; bucks chasing does; bucks smelling the a ir for danger ; geese landing; coyotes crossing; birds f lying; raccoons and possums looking for food; mice scurrying around inside the blind; and yes, even an eagle landing by my decoys.

The last time at the field I was in the blind from 5:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., and the only interruption of the

day from my memories was about six toms gobbling in the woods behind me at about 2 p.m. While others might leave the field disap-pointed, I left thinking, “What a great day!”

Everyone should find their own field or familiar place to return to regularly. Fields, woods, fence lines, ridges, or any spot that you escape to is a healthy place to pause, regroup, recharge and count your blessings.

I am so thankful that I can be in the blinds at the field to enjoy my time, anytime and every time. Did I tell you these blinds are two miles from my house?

I am a blessed Wisconsin hunter to have the field.



IWLA R3 Report:

Success for Youth & Mentorsby Mark LaBarbera

New hunters had their first taste of hunting success April 11 during the youth turkey hunt, a special

opportunity to put food on the table while recruiting new hunters.

Three of the f i rst four success stor ies SCI HUNTERS magazine received came from members of the Izaak Walton League of America’s ( IWL A) Southwestern Wiscons in Chapter near Benton.

Chapter Secretary Jordan Williams serves on the League’s R3 Committee established to recruit, retain and reac-tivate hunters, trappers and anglers. He took his 11-year-old daughter Paisley hunting that beautiful Saturday morning.

“We got set up bright and early,” said Paisley. “Turkeys were gobbling all around us!”

Gobblers came within range at 7 a.m. Paisley was ready, crossbow up, and she aimed for one of the big toms.

She squeezed the trigger, sending the bolt (arrow) into the dirt.

The birds disappeared, leaving Paisley full of adrenaline and wondering what happened during the excitement. A roller coaster of emotions ensued.

“It was only 25 yards away. I shot low,” said Paisley.

Like every good R3 mentor Jordan reassured and consoled her.

By the t ime a gobb le r appeared an hour later, Paisley was ready. More experienced now, she watched the bird move to within 15 yards.

“She sealed the deal,” said her proud father, mentor and hunting buddy. “And that was not only her first bird, but first animal she s h o t . S h e wa s s u p e r excited, but not as much as me!”

Paisley’s 21-pound bird had one-inch spurs and e ight-and-a-ha l f- inch beard.

That same morning, Denn is Ca rpente r ’s g r a n d s o n , M a s o n Joseph, shot his f irst turkey. Carpenter is IWLA chapter president and a big suppor ter of mentoring hunters and anglers of all ages who want to harvest food for their t ab l e . S teve Jose ph me nto red 14-year-o ld Mason, whose b i rd weighed 24+ pounds with eight-and-a-half-inch beard and one-inch spurs.

Aaron Edge of Potosi shot his first turkey, also a whopping 24-pounder, with his uncle and mentor Joe Edge. Aaron’s turkey had a nine-and-a-half-inch beard and nearly one-inch spurs. As their photo with the big bird shows, i t was a p roud moment of success afield for Aaron and Joe, and rightly so.

Another IWLA member, M a t t A n d r e w s w a s mentoring sons Owen, 9, and Brayden, 11, that same morn ing. The Cuba City dentist loves hunting and loves even more to pass along his outdoor heritage and skills. Trying to keep him out of the woods is like pulling teeth!

So, when the youth turkey hunt approached, he already had Owen and Brayden prepared, and had a great blind ready for all three of them.

Watching and hearing the woods come to life is a memory they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Knowledgeable R3 mentors under-stand that introducing new hunters

The True Identity of America’s

ConservationistsSCI and other sporting groups have united to deliver the following history lesson and message to the media, local and national politicians, and anyone who will listen. Please share this with your friends, associates and media in your area.

A t the beginning of the 20th century, Gifford Pinchot, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and one

of the fathers of the American conserva-tion movement, developed the now widely accepted definition of conserva-tion as the “wise use of the Earth and its resources for the lasting good of men.” According to Pinchot, the purpose of conservation is to produce “the greatest good for the greatest number for the longest time,” with sound science as the recognized tool to accomplish this objective.

Conservationists are people who support and/or engage in this approach to natural resource management. Hunters and anglers are among the first Americans to endorse the idea. Their legacy is now over 100 years old. Through their leadership, state agencies were established to manage our nation’s fish and wildlife, and to adopt laws and create programs to conserve these public trust resources.

Arguably, the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs (WSFR), a key component of the American System of Conservation Funding, were the most important of these programs to be created. Through this unique “user-pays, public-benefits” system, sportsmen and women are the primary funders of wild-life conservation, providing upwards of 80% of the funding for state fish and wildlife agencies. They also financially support conservation through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses and permits, Duck Stamps, firearms, ammunition and archery equipment, philanthropy, and the creation of organi-zations whose sole mission is the restoration and enhancement of species of wildlife.

Unfortunately, the tremendous contri-bution made by sportsmen and women toward the restoration and conservation of our wildlife resources remains largely unknown to the genera l pub l ic. This situation is exacerbated by the media’s broad-based use of the term

“conservationist.” They are unable to distinguish between individuals and organizations that financially support wildlife conservation and those that don’t. The latter include animal rights and anti-hunting organizations, those whose funding is spent primarily on liti-gating resource management decisions and those that promote a preservationist “don’t touch” philosophy in wildlife management.

It is not by accident that these groups and through their interaction with the media se ized upon the term “conservationist” in order to cloak their preservationist, anti-consumptive use philosophy. In the 1990’s, labels such as “environmentalist,” “protectionist,” and “animal rightist,” became undesir-able labels. These groups began the calculated adoption of the term “conser-vationist” in an effort to reverse the political and societal credibility that they were beginning to lose.

It is critical that we educate the American public about the fact that hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping are closely related to fish and wildlife conservation. In fact, it is almost universally impossible to speak of one without the other. The term “conservationist” must be rightfully applied.

Using phrases like “sportsmen and other conservationists,” or “sports-men-conservationists” when describing ourselves accurately characterizes the relationship between sportsmen and women and our nat ion’s natura l resources. “Conservationist” is a title sportsmen and women helped create, work hard to maintain, and are proud to rightfully claim. They truly earned and deserve this distinctive designation.

The community of hunters and anglers must take every available oppor-tunity to educate the American people and the media on what the term “conservationist” means, who the conservationists are, and what conser-vationists have achieved in making this

country’s wildlife resources the envy of the world.

Signed:Archery Trade AssociationAssoc. of Fish and Wildlife AgenciesBear Trust InternationalBoone and Crockett ClubCamp Fire Club of AmericaCatch-A-Dream FoundationCongressional Sportsmen’s FoundationConservation ForceCouncil to Advance Hunting & Shooting

SportsDallas Safari ClubDelta Waterfowl FoundationDucks UnlimitedHouston Safari ClubMasters of Foxhounds AssociationMule Deer FoundationNational Rifle AssociationNational Shooting Sports FoundationNational Trappers AssociationNational Wild Turkey FederationOrion – The Hunter’s InstitutePheasants ForeverPope and Young ClubProfessional Outfitters and Guides of

AmericaQuail ForeverQuality Deer Management AssociationRocky Mountain Elk FoundationRuffed Grouse SocietySafari Club InternationalSportsmen’s AllianceTexas Wildlife AssociationTheodore Roosevelt Conservation

Partnership Tread Lightly!Whitetails UnlimitedWild Sheep FoundationWildlife ForeverWildlife Management Institute

Wildlife Mississippi Paisley’s first turkey.

Mason Joseph with his first turkey.

Aaron Edge with uncle Joe Edge.

WI SCI HUNTERS – July/August 2020 37

38 WI SCI HUNTERS – July/August 2020

like those smiling folks in the Cuba City Dental ads. “Dr. Matt” knows how to put a smile on your face.

“ I t wa s a g r e a t morning, absolutely gorgeous weather, and comfortable for mentors and young hunters alike,” the proud papa said.

means helping them to savor the entire outdoor experience.

Brayden was first. Age has its privi-leges. At 9:30 a.m. Brayden dropped his first turkey, a huge 25.8-pound tom with 10-inch beard and one-and-a quarter-inch spurs.

An hour later, Owen shot his first bird. It was 21.2 pounds with nine-and-a-half-inch beard and one-inch spurs.

L ike the i r mento r, Owen and Brayden could not stop grinning, just

Mallory, Brennen, Owen, and Brayden Andrews

Owen, Matt and Brayden Andrews.

Paisley and Jordan Williams

Why Join SCI Today?Safari Club International is the

leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife

conservation wor ldwide. These primary missions are suppor ted through many parts of the organiza-tion and the SCI Foundation. But our success depends on hunters like you joining an SCI chapter right here near your home. Please do your part to help us help you and other hunters in this area.

You can join simply by signing up at one of the chapter websites listed on the next page.

Please join today and we wil l welcome you like a new friend and old hunting buddy.

Here’s an overview of how we help all hunters, especially those living right here in our own backyard.

Advocate: Since 2000, SCI has spent $140 million on protecting the freedom to hunt through policy advo-cacy, litigation, and education for federal and state legislators to ensure hunting is protected for future gener-ations. Through direct involvement and partnerships with like-minded organizations, SCI has become a political force in Washington, D.C. and other world capitals.

Connect: When you become a member of SCI, you join a network of over 55,000 like-minded individuals all over the world. In your local com-

munity there may already be an of� cial SCI chapter. Working side by side, holding similar attitudes about the importance and responsibility of being a hunter, SCI members make a tangible difference through conserva-tion efforts in their communities and voicing their concerns to representa-tives who take them to the floors of Washington.

Educate: The weekly E-Newsletters In The Crosshairs and Hunt Now! provide breaking news, legal issues, government actions, product reviews, and exciting stories of the hunt, to more than 45,000 members. Through our publications, Safari Magazine and Safari Times, we keep you up to date on events and board actions as well, teach you some tips and techniques, and stories about other members� hunting expeditions.

Represent: SCI members help shape and promote the image of the hunter to non-hunters through their words and actions. In addition to practicing ethical hunting while in the � eld and around others, members can

give back by participating in humani-tarian efforts taking place across the globe through the af� liated charitable organization, Safari Club International Foundation.

Conservation Programs: SCI Foundation ensures the best available science is used in wildlife policy and management, and demonstrates the constructive role that hunting and hunters play in the conservation of biodiversity worldwide. The organization is “First for Wildlife,” investing millions of dollars into wildlife conservation and educa-tion every year. Conservation efforts never cease, and through chapter projects, SCI Foundation

grants and scholarships, and regional programs, members of Safari Club International make a difference in the life of the environment and the animals that live there.

E d u c a t i o n P r o g r a m s : S C I programs for both children and adults, provide a hands-on opportunity to experience the outdoors and to spread the knowledge of conservation and wildlife management. One of these education programs is Sensory Safari, a program in which the blind can learn about nature through touch exhibits. SCI Foundation also opened the International Wildlife Museum in Tucson, Arizona, to increase knowl-edge of, and appreciation for, the diverse wildlife of the world.

Humanitarian Programs: The SCI Foundation, through Spor tsmen Against Hunger and SafariCare, provides food and supplies to those in need, both in our backyard and in remote places of the world. The Disabled Hunter program fosters opportunities for disabled sportsmen and women to experience the hunting tradition. SafariWish grants hunting related wishes to those dealing with terminal or life-threatening illnesses.

Success depends on hunters like you joining an SCI chapter right here near your home.

Join today by signing up at one of the chapter websites listed on the next page.

SCI Wisconsin Chapterc/o Janean GehlW157N10472 Fieldstone PassGermantown, WI 53022

Address Change? Email Janean Gehl at [email protected]

Nature’s Way Taxidermy

www.NaturesWayTaxidermyWI.com

Let Us Be Your Taxidermist Of Choice!!!! Nature’s Way Taxidermy guarantees integrity and excellent customer service to all hunters. Call us before your next hunt to talk with Jeff about field care for your trophy animal or to request shipping tags

Jeff Champeau, 1110 South Allen Rd, Green Bay WI 54311 Phone 920-863-8482 Email: [email protected]

HuntersJuly_Aug2012.indd 32 6/22/12 1:36 PM

my sister is vegetarian, but i hunt€¦ · 16 my sister is vegetarian; i hunt by kayci martensen...

Documents