After a productive year in the field it is always nice to see what it netted us in meat. This year’s take at our household included 1 Tule Elk, 1 Blacktail buck, 1 wild pig, and half of a Rocky Mtn Elk.

Tule Elk: Checked in Weight of 236 pounds with boned out loins and Bone in Shoulders and hams. I received back: 11 pkgs of boneless loin steaks, 28 leg steaks, 39 packages of ground meat, for a net of 115 pounds plus 30# of venison reserved for sausage. (145 pounds). I netted 61% of weight I checked in.

Wild pig: 180 pound skinned carcass checked in. I received back 4 packages of smoked ham (bone in), 2 shoulder roasts (picnic), 6 loin roasts (boneless), one package of Tenderloins, whole, and 31 packages of bulk country sausage, for a net of 57 pounds. I don’t think this includes the Ham weight though…

Erin’s Blacktail Deer was made into steaks, with 30 pounds reserved for summer sausage, and pepperoni sticks.

Rocky Mtn Elk
I gave half of this elk to a friend in Idaho, and the other half was checked in at 140#. (My previous elk carcasses weighed 283#. 386# and 407#) I requested all the roasts possible. The 88 pounds net was 62% (about the same as my partially boned Tule elk).

The meat processor I use bills based on the check in weight, with minimum amounts per animal. Smoking and Sausage are additional charges.

So right now I have a freezer full of 260 pounds of Steaks, Roasts, and the Sausage orders are trickling in.  In October I received 30 pounds of Italian Boiling Sausage, in November, I received 30 pounds of Bavarian with Cheese sausage, and 30 pounds of  Garlic Sausage.  I recently had a call that Erin’s Summer Sausage was ready, and that leaves the Pepperoni Sticks (I’m expecting 30 # of each)

The Petaluma Community Center will be hosting a Wilderness First Aid Class on September 22nd from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

The class will address the unique aspects of emergency response without medical facilities close at hand.  From broken or sprained ankles to burns and snakebite, this class will help you take your basic first aid background and deal with emergencies away from 911 and emergency personnel.
The instructor is Eric Peterson, his website is www.millcreeksafety.com

You can also register on the web at www.cityofpetaluma.net/register

Corey Jacobsen at Elk101.com has put together an extremely informative video on the Gutless method of quartering big animals.

The advantage? Well for one, no sawing necessary. Sawing through bone wears you out faster than any other butchering chore. Second, the Gutless method keeps the entrails and a great deal of the blood, in the body cavity for a cleaner butchering site.  Third, fewer bones to pack.  The ribcage and spine adds atleast 100 pounds to an elk carcass.  Why pack the bones if you aren’t gonna eat ‘em?

Check out the teaser video and then you can watch it in more depth and detail in parts 1 and 2.  I think you will certainly take away some ideas from watching it.

http://video.foxnews.com/12396526/race-against-time

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Dec. 10 (UPI) — Emergency crews Thursday worked to reach a total of 16 hunters left stranded by a storm that dumped a few feet of snow on the Arizona highlands.

Authorities said the hunters were in five groups, KPNX-TV, Phoenix, reported. Another 50 or so hunters had already been rescued.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll said officials know where the hunters are, it’s just a matter of getting to them through the deep snow. Temperatures below zero also were a factor.

Helicopters, ground vehicles and snowmobiles were all pressed into service, the TV station said.

Two of the hunting parties, one south of Flagstaff and the other northwest of Williams, included children, including one who is 5 years old and other age 10, KPNX said.

Arizona’s elk hunting season ended Thursday

This is a reminder to all of us that hunt in the West, that weather conditions can change in a heartbeat. We should be prepared to extend our camp stay with enough food, propane and shelter to weather a storm that might strand us.

That means emergency food, shelter and clothing in vehicles, as well as in day packs.

Many people travel in the pristine backcountry and pick up this microscopic protozoal terrorist that can ruin your quality of life.  I’ll spare you the gruesome details, but a quick search on Google Health will let you know that it is not something you want to pick up.

Many people think that using iodine tablets will kill giardia.  The manufacturer recommends 30 minute contact time, but the abstact in the article referenced below from the Journal of Public Health highlights the shortcomings of many chemical based water treatment options.

You may download the entire paper at the American Journal of Public Health Reprint Center.  I added the paragraph breaks and emphasis below.

Backcountry Water Treatment to Prevent Giardiasis

JERRY E. ONGERTH, PHD, PE, RON L. JOHNSON, STEVEN C. MACDONALD, MPH, FLOYD FROST, PHD, AND HENRY H. STIBBS, PHD

Abstract: This study was conducted to provide current information on the effectiveness of water treatment chemicals and filters for control of Giardia cysts in areas where treated water is not available.

Four filters and seven chemical treatments were evaluated for both clear and turbid water at 10°C. Three contact disinfection devices were also tested for cyst inactivation. Filters were tested with 1-liter volumes of water seeded with 3 x 104 cysts of G. lamblia produced in gerbils inoculated with in vitro cultured trophozoites; the entire volume of filtrate was examined for cyst passage.

Chemical treatments were evaluated at concentrations specified by the manufacturer and for contact times that might be expected of hikers (30 minutes) and campers (eight hours, i.e., overnight).

Two of the four filter devices tested were 100 percent effective for Giardia cyst removal. Of the other two filters, one was 90 percent effective and the other considerably less effective. Among the seven disinfection treatments, the iodine-based chemicals were all significantly more effective than the chlorine-based chemicals.

None of the chemical treatments achieved 99.9 percent cyst inactivation with only 30- minute contact. After an eight-hour contact each of the iodine but none of the chlorine preparations achieved at least 99.9 percent cyst inactivation. None of the contact disinfection devices provided appreciable cyst inactivation.

Heating water to at least 70°C for 10 minutes was an acceptable alternative treatment. (Am J Public Health 1989; 79:1633-1637.)

John is in the Backcountry of Nevada on a mule deer hunt until August 16th. While he’s gone, you might like to know about how he stays in touch when you can’t get a cell phone signal.

In 2006 I had a first hand experience with how a Satellite phone can make the difference in a rescue situation. An experienced Wyoming guide was injured when his mule spooked and couldn’t ride the 9 miles back to the ranch. The Satellite phone alowed me to give map coordinates to the Teton county Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue team and they flew a helicopter right to the accident site.

Since my August Mule Deer hunt is taking me into a Wilderness Area, 50 miles from the nearest town in any direction, and our base camp is 5 miles from the end of a long, deserted back road, I will be renting a Satellite phone in case of emergency.

I rented my satellite phone from Mobal.com. They come recommended by a couple of my hunting partners who had good results with one on back country hunts in 2008. The daily rate for rental is $9.00, PLUS a $6.00 daily rate for loss and damage protection. Airtime is $1.99 per minute, (although prepaid minutes are available at a discount.)  Mobal.com has a number of additional features available for free, including free incoming text messages up to 150 characters.  

This Video below details how you can send a text message to an Iridium Satellite phone. It’s a good way for friends and family to send encouragement (and even weather reports), wghile you are “Away from it all”.

The video below from the folks at Gone Huntin’ does a nice job of summarizing the benefits of renting a Satellite phone for brief remote trips, especially for hunters. Leave your comments and questions and I’ll do my best to answer them when I return.

Paul Medel, also known as “Elknut” has become a resource to elk hunters throughout the West with his DVD set on Elk Calling, Scouting, and Using  Mouth Reeds.  His website Elknut.com also sells a variety of calls and elk hunting gear in addition to his DVD’s and videos.

Paul has announced a new addition to his instructional library.

Elknut’s Play book  .

The PlayBook is full of methods & techniques, it’s also full of the actual setups we use every year. You’ll be happy to see in detail how we use each setup under varying elk encounters. We do not use the same sounds for every bull, a lot depends on the bull & his aggressiveness or Satellite or Herd Bull. The cool thing about this Book is you can take it with you in the field as a reference as it’s 4 1/4″ X 6 3/4″ it’s in paperback so it will fit right into your pocket or pack. I feel there is no encounter you can come across that this PlayBook doesn’t cover, it should be that thorough!

In addition to this 100 page Book I’m going to release a CD of this Book! It will be read by me. The 1st Chapter is on Elk Sounds, I give them a name & definition so anytime these sounds are used or recommended you will be able to associate them with this Chapter. I also at that time will give each sound so you can understand what each sound, sounds like!
As I get into each individual Chapter I will then highlight & once again give the sounds that are being used in that particular Chapter so as to easily identify what’s being used or talked about. The CD will have an MP3 Format say it can be easily down loaded onto an IPod.

I feel the 2 of them will really benefit Elk Hunters from all over! Here is the Table Of Contents! This is a very unique Book like no other! This PlayBook & the DVDs we have out will really compliment one another!

 

 1- Introduction
2-Basic Starting Advice
 3- Elk Sounds
 4- Scouting Elk Country
 5- Calling At Night
 6- Decoy Use
 7-Full Moon Hunting
 8-Wallow Setups
 9-Hung Up Bulls
 10-Popping/Nervous Grunt Tactics
11-Herd Bull Or Satellite
12-Glunking
13-Threat Levels
14-Caller / Shooter Setups
15-Early Season Tactics
16-Midday Tactics
17-Aggressive Cow Calling
18-Aggressive Tactics
19-Lone Hunter Tactics
20-Hunting Bedding Areas?
21-The Shot & Blood Trailing
22-Gutless Method & Meat Care
23-Packing Basic Items

Copies may be ordered in advance at www.elknut.com 

Paul will take orders now & have shipping labels done so when PlayBooks arrive we can ship all orders immediately!—-The Book in CD Format will be available in mid March.

Paul will sign & number the first 150 PlayBooks.

Many of us hunters consider our pursuit of Big Game to be a “gentleman’s sport.” Indeed some of the best people I have met have been through hunting. When you think about it, I’ve been places where expensive camp and hunting gear has been unmolested in a remote setting simply from the ethics of folks who were there.

So I felt that putting down a list of “Rules of Etiquette” for the Western Hunter might be appropriate. Feel free to add your thoughts in the Comments section below.

• Hunting Spots- While there are millions of acres of public land to hunt, it takes a lot of effort to find one that is consistently productive, where you don’t have to compete with other hunters. We find these spots through a combination of time scouting and researching as well as talking with other hunters. If someone is kind enough to take you to a spot to hunt, you are obligated to NOT bring another person there, or tell others the location unless it is with the expressed permission of your original host.   Now a casual conversation with another hunter, not necessarily a friend, who lets slip a good location is simply doing your homework. A cold beverage, to the right person at the trailhead has gotten me information I might not have found so quickly on my own.
• Other hunters- On occasion there will be other hunters near where you hunt. If they get out on the trail ahead of you then they have first right to their destination. Now if you can pass them on the trail and get ahead then you have first right. If you don’t want to lose out, then leave early.  If you are stalking a buck, and discover another hunter moving in then the closer hunter with the wind in their face has first right. In the absence of a wind, usually the hunter on the uphill side has a better chance of sealing the deal and the downhill hunter should break off the stalk without disturbing the quarry.
• Camping spots – Except in developed trailhead campgrounds, always camp out of sight of other camps in the back country. They are there for solitude, not company. Backpackers should leave large flat horse camps to groups with horses, and use more compact campsites where available. Outfitters on public land actually pay a fee for each of their campsites and are within the law to evict other campers there.
• Successful hunters- you are not obligated to give a full accounting of where you were successful. Vague responses are preferred to outright lies and deception. They should warn other folks where their gut piles are if it might attract bears. Likewise if an aggressive bear is encountered, then other campers/hunters and fishermen should be warned.
• Loose horses- that have obviously escaped (saddle still on) should be caught and tied to a tree in an open spot along the trail. Chances are that the rider will be coming down the trail looking for it. If you have neighboring camps be sure to ask if they recognize the horse. There may be an injured rider in the hills. If a horse wanders into camp without halter bridle or saddle, you might want to catch it just to keep it out of your feed anyway. Alert a USFS or BLM employee if the animal is not claimed .
• Visiting Camps- should only be done when the camp is occupied.  Don’t partake in any hospitality you are not willing to return.  Many a camp cook will offer conversation and a cup of coffee during the middle of the day.  Don’t stop by during meal time and expect to be fed.  That is the mark of a mooch. 
• Emergencies- take precedence over a hunt. You should do your level best to help sick or injured people in the backcountry. This includes first aid, going for help, or assisting lost hikers. By the same token you should go into the back country well prepared for the weather and the appropriate equipment for your trip.

It is my hope that these backcountry rules of etiquette will help you in your trips afield in the upcoming seasons.

The following question was posed in a thread on Sage Creek Forums .

it got me thinking….

What is the saying?  “The harder I work, the luckier I get?” 

Also applicable is “Don’t confuse activity with productivity.”

I’d say there are factors that make a person successful in many endevors, hunting included.  I think that putting in the time in the field gives a hunter a higher probability of finding the productive areas.  What he or she does from that point, depends on skill and yes, luck.

If you put yourself in a position and mindset to recognize an opportunity then you are a step ahead.  To me persistance is a combination of a positive attitude, the drive and dedication to spend the time in the field and not giving up. 

That means:
Looking around when you are hiking to a new glassing spot.
Taking that breather where you have a view of the country, not down in a brushy hole.
Never skylining yourself when you crest a ridgeline.
Never thinking that “there isn’t any game here this close to the trailhead.”
Checking out that suspicious spot on the ridge one more time with your glass.

One of the biggest bucks I’ve ever seen killed was bedded next to the trail in Wyoming as my neighbor Ray was riding back to camp in a snowstorm.  Ray was trying to light a cigarette and bent down and saw the buck out of the corner of his eye.  That was the luck. 

He rode over the ridge, slid off the horse, and let it keep going.  He snuck back and killed the buck in his bed.  The rest of the guys didn’t even know he had dismounted until they heard the shot.  That was the skill. 

Had Ray not been out in the snowstorm, he wouldn’t have seen the buck (persistance).  Had he not needed a nicotine fix he wouldn’t have spotted him (luck). If he had gotten excited and tried to shoot the buck when he spotted him, he would have scared him off before he had his rifle out of the scabbard (skill).

So MY new saying is…
“Success is when persistance, luck, and skill all converge at your location.”

Many times a first time elk hunter finds themselves sizing up the freezer before they head out with the thought “If I get one will I have enough room?”  So I’ve taken a step here to elucidate folks on just what they can expect once they have an elk on the ground in terms of red meat yield.

The best way of estimating yield from an elk comes to us from the University of Wyoming.  Their 8-page publication “The Elk Carcass” provides an in depth look at the data collected from actual hunter harvested elk.  it provides a good starting point for hunters who want an idea of just how much meat is in a cow, bull or calf elk. 

In this publication are some formulas for estimating yield that you can use.

Whole weight = 1.42 x field-dressed weight 
Field-dressed weight (viscera and feet removed)= 0.70 x whole weight
Skinned carcass weight (skin and head removed) = 0.83 x field-dressed weight 
Boneless lean = 0.50 x field-dressed weight 

A real world example:

So if you are lucky enough to get a bull down in the back country , and you skin, and quarter the bull, that would be considered the skinned carcass weight.  Say he is like my 2007 bull and the 4 quarters weigh 360 pounds that night at the locker. 

DIVIDE 360 by .83  to get the field dressed weight of 433.7 pounds. 

To estimate the boneless meat yield then multiply the field dressed weight by  by .50 to get 216.9 pounds of boneless meat.  

I got nearly 250 pounds of boneless steaks, roasts, and ground meat from that bull, so you can see there is some wiggle room.  Generally bulls will be higher yielding than cow elk, simply due to additional muscle.  Below is a table from the Uof W publication I mentioned earlier.  Click for the full size table

So here is wishing you a happy hunt and a full freezer this fall.  Please let me know if these formulas work for your harvests.  Good hunting.