All posts by Frank Biggs

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Pronghorn & Coyote in Oregon

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The predator and the victim in Oregon and every other Western State!

Coyotes don’t always jump and mouse!

This dog was looking for rodents!

This post is going to be a two (2) information on the Coyote and the Pronghorn or better known to most as an Antelope!

Recently I got off with an old friend from the days of the Burns Bros. Sportsmen Center that was located on S.E. Union Ave in Portland.  The big yellow building with lots of big painted logo’s on the building, it was a meeting place in the old days!

He is now one of the top Biologist in the State of Oregon.   It has been great to rekindle the past on hunting and what he does for the ODFW. 

Does he make book or not is the question of the day!

 

Last year I talked with him a while about a few of the units that I had sent hunters into for Pronghorn and of course the Coyote came up in conversation.  There areas that the Coyote has caused havic on the Pronghorn in Oregon was an issue!

Today while talking with him, I came up with the non science simple cause of areas that the Coyote is reducing the Antelope fawns.  “So the Jackrabbits are down in population and the Coyote is going to take an Antelope fawn during the fawning season?” “Yep! That is the simple cause, but more complex than that Frank.”

There is one unit that comes into play a great deal with fewer fawns than any other unit and that is the Wagontire Unit, especially the South Wagontire unit south of Christmas Valley.   Last year there was on a ratio of 11 fawns to 100 Does, whereas in a unit further south the ratio of 43 fawn to 100 Does.

There is a great deal of B.L.M. to hunt in all of the units and the Wagontire Unit has more than most.  I would suggest getting your mapping and GPS, so you know where you are.

This is what we want to see in numbers!

So anyone that is just wanting to get out and hunt for Coyotes, it is a place to travel to with a great deal of roads to work from in the unit.   We can never stop the Coyote, as they are one of the most resourceful animals, that knows how to survive the elements and man.  Just whittle down the numbers so we have more Antelope fawn survive the first part of their life, once up and going they seem to keep from the Coy Dog!

I am under the understanding that the desert rodent population is making a comeback in the Oregon desert!

Now lets talk a little about Antelope hunting for those that going to hunt Antelope – Pronghorn this year.   I know many feel they are going to get drawn in 2012.  For those that have not applied, you have to decide what you are really looking for a Boone & Crockett or a good Lope to put on the wall.  There are Boone & Crockett Lopes in every hunt unit in Oregon, but some units fewer of course.  Sometimes hunters are overwhelm, as in most cases you get to see a great deal of Antelope bucks while hunting.  I have been told many times how a hunter shoots a good buck they feel and then be walking back to the truck and see the grand daddy.  It is important to know what you are looking at and know how to do a visual measurement.  Then you decide if that is one your going to pull the trigger or release an arrow on.

Sometimes they may just stand there waiting on you!

Oregon does have one hunt unit that the big boys die of old age.   Limited amount of tags for the hunt unit and it takes from 18 to probably 25 points to get drawn.   The problem with the unit is that there is a great deal of “Village Idiots” and they get harvested!  “Village Idiots” is a new word to me representing the youth in the Pronghorn kingdom…

So all of the Coyote hunters & Pro-Staffers for RD Game Calls, get your fannies out there and help the future Pronghorn hunters by taking out some dogs.

Cobra

Hunting Equipment

RD Game Calls – Custom Made Game Calls

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RD Game Calls – Built in the U.S.A.

Handcrafted on the banks of the Snake River in Idaho

RD Games Calls are to a duck hunter, goose hunter, varmint hunter and other hunting, like what an Orvis Split Bamboo rod is a an avid fly fisherman or fly fisher-person (that is hard to day).

I recently was selected to the Pro-Staff of RD Game Calls that are handcraft in Melba, Idaho.   I have only had a little to time to play with the Varmint Calls that I received, actually on Blacktail deer.  Interesting as I pull a couple of does into me from across a field.

These are the 2 calls I just got and played with on the way to the coast this past Sunday!

I have a place that the Coyotes are very weary to calling and I am sure this is because most like to use electronic calls.   I just happen to know the young fellow that has been hunting for them there and now has given up.  To be able to use a mouth call whether is a open reed style or a close reed call is far more effective in areas that the dogs have been worked over.  Such is the case on the property I hunt for Blacktail deer in the Willamette Valley outside of Oregon City, OR.

Have you ever hunted for ducks on one of the state refuges and you have the fellow in the next blind using a shaker call attempting to get ducks into the dekes.   Then you have the fellow on the other side of the lake who knows how to use a real call bringing the ducks in from long range to the decoys.

I am suggesting that all of you go to RD GAME CALLS and check out the woods available and the acrylics that are available on these custom built calls.  

This is not my picture, as it is a company picture. RD Game Calls for Youth! They are very involved with a youth program. Youth is the future for hunting!

I understand that REX is a master craftsmen that can tune a call to the way you want it.  Remember they are custom built, no two will be the same.   The next call though, not a duck, goose or varmint call is going to be a call that I can have in my mouth while bow hunting stop a big Blacktail buck in his tracks for split second with the call falling from my mouth and the arrow has been released to impact the chest cavity.

The dogs are out and we can't have them licking choppers on Lopes!

For those that buy a call from RD GAME CALLS and live in Oregon or willing to travel to Oregon to kill Coyotes in an area that the Coyotes have raise havoc on the Antelope – Pronghorns fawn,  I will give you that secret area to go and take them out.  It is near a place that has the word Well in it!  I might even have the GPS Coords for the serious hunters!

Cobra

Hunting Equipment

Hunting with onX HUNT & Garmin GPS

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HUNT with onX HUNT & Garmin GPS Products

The Winning Team for the Outdoors

(Global Positioning Systems) for many years.  I would have to put myself back to around 1998 with the first being a Garmin XL.  I have had many Garmin GPS’s over the years and still have some that are pretty old.  Those are ones that I will loan out; knowing I might not get them back or in good shape.  A number of months back I bought a new Garmin Montana 600, the latest in technology and very fast in the field.  I loaded it with the onX HUNT software that comes out of the great state of Montana.  One of the reasons I am posting this post is about the great service I received about 3 weeks ago.  I was having problems with the Montana 600 when it came to typing in names of waypoints and locking up while doing so.  It had made it through the fall hunting season which was good.  This is the first Garmin to ever give me issues that I could not fix by doing an update on-line.  I sent an email to technical support at Garmin and told them the numerous issues on the Montana 600 I was having.   When I sent the message off, I got an email back to my home email that it would be three (3) working days for a response on my issues.   The next day I get another email that had someone to call and a name, if I remember it was James M.   In the message I was told that Garmin Technical Support felt I could do a Master Reboot on the device and that should take care of it.  I did the Master Reboot and it helped a little, so I did twice more to see how it would really work.  It did not fix the problem!  Now what was I going to do!  The next day I decided to call the 888 number and explain that the Master Reboot did not work and that it was the first Garmin of the many I have or have had to not work properly.  I got a young man name Chris on the phone within like one (1) minute of the call!  Such a deal someone answers the phone and was very polite.  I talked with Chris for a few minutes and within those few minutes he told me he lived in Salem, Oregon and had worked for Garmin for a number of years.  Now I was floored that I had someone living in the U.S.A., doing support and be able to understand them.   Now here is the good part of our conversation about the Montana 600, Chris felt that I needed a replacement (new), since the Master Reboot did not work.  He told me to get it in the mail and that he had sent all the codes and address to my email with instructions.  The next day I got the Montana 600 into the U.S. Mail to Kansas, yes the U.S.A. Kansas.   Chris told me that it would be about 3 weeks before I would get the replacement in the mail.  Well turn around was 2 weeks total for me to get my hands on the Montana 600 new in the box. Before the Garmin Montana 600 was sent off, I contacted Matt with onX HUNT software Matt let me know that he would give me a new un-lock code to load the Hunt Oregon for Garmin or Hunt Northwest for Garmin on the new Garmin. Two great companies to work with when it comes to GPS products! Garmin makes a superb product for everyone, whether it for the hunting, aviation, hiking, fishing, automobile, motorcycles, Recreation Vehicle and runners.  There is software updates for the devices that are always Free.  You can do this via your computer via the Free Web Updater software.

How to from Hunting GPS Maps

Cobra

Hunting Equipment

Norway Industries – Zeon Fusion Vanes

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I have been very excited to try out the Norway Industries Vanes in the Zeon Fusion in Pink.  Pink you say! Well with pink I can see the arrow maybe in the tall grass on a successful hit or miss.  The idea was to be able to see the arrow in flight in the low light that is offered in the Pacific Northwest hunting for elk and deer in the heavy timber.  The thing with the Zeon Fusion Vanes in 4 different colors they have the ability to glow or absorb light.   I just had a dozen arrow fetched up with the Zeon Fusion Pink Vanes and tried them at the range during a lunch break.  Purpose of that was to see how they would fly with the design of the vane.   I shot 6 arrows total, with the lack of time and knowing I was already suppose to be back at work already.  They were shot out of my Martin Onza 3 hunting bow at 72lbs, at probably about 343fps velocity at 3 spot targets. The result which I feel the spin is better on the Zeon Fusion than other vanes, is 3 10’s or X’s, 2 9’s and the last was an 8, but I did take out my arm with the string.  I had that one coming as I hurried the shot as I knew I had to get back to work quickly.  I was finally able to go out and shot the arrow with the Zeon Fusion Vanes in late evening.  Hoorah!  I could see the vans (arrow) in flight!

In Oregon we are restricted from using anything that might be attached to bow that has a battery, which would include an arrow with a lighted nock.  So along comes Norway Industries with Zeon Fusion Vanes, a company which is located in Myrtle Point, OR, yep a local N.W. manufacturer that has vanes that can be seen in low light.

They really look good on the black shafts! My mark in the woods! Zeon Fusion Vanes

I have been an old school about arrows, shooting aluminum forever, only once shooting Lamiglass graphite arrows and having 4″-5″ vans on all my shafts, now I am shooting carbon and have the Zeon Fusion at 2.1″.  That is a big change for someone that was hunting deer in the early 70’s with a recurve.  I am glad that I have gone this way, success will be greater in the future and can be great for you also!

I highly recommend the Norway Industries Vanes for all your archery shooting purposes, whether for hunting or target shooting.

Bwana Bubba

“For literally thousands of years bowhunters have struggled with the dilemma of seeing their arrows in flight and consequently knowing if they found their mark. In recent years heavy lighted nocks have been the answer for some, but are not legal in all 50 states nor allowed for Pope and Young Club entries. In lieu of this Norway Industries set out to do what they do best; break the rules and develop products that change the game and force the industry to re-think what it knows of possibilities and products. The result is the new edge-glow ZEON Fusion Vane. See the difference ZEON Fusion Vanes can make in your hunting success this year.”

Hunting Equipment, Uncategorized, United States - Military, Youth Hunts & Stories

Commander Rod Briece U.S. Navy Retired now serving in GOD’s Navy!

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Commander Rod Briece U.S. Navy Retired was a Believer, a Father, a Husband, a Leader, an Educator, and a Friend. Plus hunting and fishing was a passion for him in his off time.   In the later years Rod, found his grandson to be his new partner in the field.   That will surely be missed forever, but not forgotten for his grandson!

My name is Frank Biggs aka Frank Trumble when I first met Mr. Briece in 1969 at the Naval Security Group Activity in Imperial Beach, California.   He was a young Lt. Jg. Line Officer attached to Admin at the Naval Security Group Activity in Imperial Beach, California.   I was a young enlisted Petty Officer attached to a different Division in COMSEC.  I had heard that we had someone from Portland, Oregon at the site and I just had to meet him.   I was able to see Mr. Briece one day and found out that he love to duck hunt.  Well I knew all of the places to hunt ducks outside of San Diego, plus along the Mexican border.   I quickly invited him to duck hunt on my 80 hours off.   The hunt as an outing was great but no ducks, yet the day before I had jumped more than 500 ducks and geese in the marsh land between the Mexican and U.S. border.

I did not have much time left at that base, as I was going overseas.  I met Rod & Cheryl one day near Ream Field, Imperial Beach.   They had their two twin daughters Janel and Anne with them.  For some reason, that I can’t remember,  I was able to hold both of the girls, one in each arm. In reference to the above sentence, some years later like about 10 years I took my daughter Rebecca to the reserve center and Rod held her, she was about the same age in reference to the time I head Janel and Anne.   Ironic the circle of life and happenings.

It was some time later in 1972 that I was able to reconnect with Rod at the Naval Security Group Activity in Portland, OR.  It was a Reserve U.S. Naval Security Communications site at the reserve center doing active military work.   Rod later became my Commanding Officer for the unit I was attached to.   Great Leader of men and women!  I would have to say Commander Briece was hands on Officer.  At this point, I always refer him when on duty as Commander Briece!

Over the years I feel that Rod and I became great friends, nice thing about the reserves you can fraternize in civilian life.   While Rod was teaching Political Science at Mt Hood Community College, Rod helped me with projects with career at Burns Bros., Inc.

There is a great deal that I can tell you about Rod & my relationship over 40 years! I do have to mention that whenever I called Rod, Cheryl normally answer the phone with a great voice and always say I will get Rod for you and “how are you doing”!

During the summer months when Rod wasn’t having to do an Reserve Active Duty Training and the college was close you could find him working at Norm Thompson Outfitters, where he would be working fly fishing or gun section.   In those days Norm Thompson was the place for the best in hunting and fishing.   It is during that time frame that Rod met Jack O’ Connor, the legendary hunter who traveled the world was known as that man that shot the Winchester 270 for everything.   Rod acquired a Winchester Model 70 in the 338 Win. Mag caliber from Jack.   I was fortunate enough to see the rifle on an elk hunt with Rod.  That was Rod’s elk hunting rifle!

He guided me on my first Antelope hunt in Oregon, which was hunt of a lifetime and the meeting of new people. Later Rod introduced me to Wild Bill Campbell on a deer hunt outside of Pilot Rock, Oregon.  Wild Bill Campbell and I would become great friends over the passing years.

This was a great trip with Rod, my GMC truck working the hills and having 3 game plans. Boone & Crockett Pronghorn

Rod was always working on us Navy boys to come closer to God and he introduced me to Good Shepherd Church and the men’s group for early Morning Prayer on Tuesdays.

Then there was the summer that I was invited to the Good Shepherd Camp out at the Fairgrounds (Hunt Park) in Tgyh Valley, Oregon, bringing along my son and his buddy.  The boys camped outside in a tent and I had the luxury of Rod’s Camper.   The boys were able to fish and later we all went on an Exotic Sheep hunt with success.   That was the talk around the campfire that evening after the hunt!

I would have to put the biggest deal in my life when I was invited to the Sportsman’s Dinner at Good Shepherd.   It happen to be the time when Dennis Agajanian came and gave testimonial to all us that were there.   I was very enlightened and when Dennis Agajanian asks of those in the audience who was ready to come to the Lord. Stand and be known, touching Rod on the shoulder and doing so was of great feeling and the great feel of the chill when you touch the Lord.

I thank Rod for everything that he gave out to everyone he touched.   I am sure that Rod will continue on this new adventurer with Jesus! Rod you will be remembered by all of us in our Hearts my friend!   God Bless!

Hunting Equipment

Cathedral Rock & Rock-Horse Heaven Proposed Wilderness – Limited BLM Access

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This is about hunting and trying to find a big buck sometimes

Under this proposed Wilderness Act, BLM Access will be limited access to the BLM lands and the parties involved on the private sector would compromise by having a trail-head  with limited access which would now be on their land and not on the once county road they want vacated.   Just think about having arm guards asking for your hunting liscense before entering Public Land!  

Since this involves everyone that uses Federal Lands for pleasure, sometimes a voice needs to be heard and sent out to fellow outdoor enthusiasts!

Over the course of many years I hunted, fished and hiked a great deal of the Oregon.   Some has been on private land with permission, but the majority of it in the last 30 years has been on B.L.M and National Forest. Many that used B.L.M., (Bureau of Land Management-Public Land) know that B.L.M. has some of the greatest opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, mining claims, or just looking for rocks and fossils.   We are quite lucky in the Western States to have so much B.L.M. to use for outdoor activities.

A great problem exists in the Western States with B.L.M., land-locked B.L.M. and private. Specifically, I am referring to a large private landing holding in Central Oregon where this has major problem for almost 30 years Recently I spoke with a person (government employee) about B.L.M. lands that are land-lock on this private holding and lack of access.   He commented that you can work the corners (checker board BLM) by using Global Positioning Systems.  To his amazement I told him that it was against the Law to do so.   Regardless of your ability to jump the corners and work them, you still come in the land owner’s air space.

The particular area I am addressing is east of Madras, Oregon and near Historical Donnybrook and borders the John Day River, with both Wasco County and Jefferson County have county roads in the land area.  To many it is known as the “Big Muddy Ranch” notoriously it was known as the Rancho Rashneeshpuram.    Today it is known as the Washington Family Ranch, which is under the direction of Young Life.

This is the sign of the past that were posted on BLM, just not the private! So now we see NO TRESPASSING SIGN w-Washington Family Ranch! Remember if this Act goes through you will find these signs on the Public Road most likely!

There has been a bill drawn up by a couple of Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to do a Land Swap between a numbers of private property owners with B.L.M. encompassed on their lands. The name of this Bill is S. 2963, Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven Wilderness Act. I believe the idea of consolidating the B.L.M., which has been land-locked since before my time.  I am not sure though that it should become a Wilderness Area.  After looking at the proposed map of the land swap, there is at least one major issue and that there is no public access to Cathedral Rock.

From what I see one Young Life will have greater benefits then the public would with the present proposal.  The greatest concern is the issue with public access to the lands.   Cathedral Rock or Coffin Rock would be the toughest proposal due to lack of road access touching the land.   There would be on river access on the John Day River and that side of the land is extremely steep and if I remember there is only one real slot to come in from the river.   For years now you could have access to the B.L.M. in the area via the N.E. Muddy Creek Rd.  The public could get to Wagner Mountain (Cathedral Rock) and Horse Heaven via the N.E. Muddy Creek Rd.  Understanding from reliable sources; Young Life has tried to vacate the roads.  What his means is that the county road that goes into the area will become a private road.   The result is a portion of the proposed land swap could only be used by Young Life and that would be for hunting purposes most likely.   In a recent land hearing, the comment by the Director of Young Life is that they would regulate the usage of the road at specific times of the year.   The comment was made that the ranch is has youth on the ranch and want to regulate people in the area.   Young Life themselves have hunts going on the ranch during the big game season and bird season.  Since the Washington Family donated the land to Young Life there is great deal of the money generated from the hunting on the ranch!  It was once said when Young Life took over that land that they made comment that to the effect of wanting to put up a game fence 8’ high to keep the game on the ranch.  It is strange but understandable that you can’t find a link on the Washington Family Ranch (Young Life) page for hunting or even fishing, rest assure they have it and there is a Game Director for the Ranch!

I personally believe in Young Life’s mission statement!

At this point there is no real benefit to the public or others such as Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs who might have sites in the old B.L.M. that are cultural importance to them to have access.

According to Town Meeting it was said, Young Life feels that all hunters want to trespass their lands to gain access to the B.L.M. or just trespass to hunt.  Majority of the public does not realize that Young Life has patrollers during the hunting season patrolling their lands and the B.L.M. (will stop you on the B.L.M.) via truck, ATV or horseback.   It should also be known that much of the B.L.M., lands ATV’s are no longer allowed, and you have walk in.   There is a section of land east of Donnybrook on top of Gosner Road (Horse Heaven) that many hunters and hikers will camp at.   During the hunting season patrollers of Young Life will come into the B.L.M. area that hunters camp on and take vehicle license numbers down and sometimes there have confrontations.   This is a known fact, as I myself have experience a number of times of the years. One such encounter was with handgun carrying patrollers on B.L.M. and be accused of trespassing on their lands.  I find that this person(s) are now a private land holder (Jefferson County Fire Cheif) next to Young Life property and has been involved to have the Muddy Road vacated and how the land should be used.   I made a comment to the Director of Washington Family Ranch at the time, “are you planning to shoot hunters”, his comment back was “we will do whatever is nessacary to protect our lands”.  I then asked him why does he feel he has control of the B.L.M. and have gun carrying patrollers on B.L.M.!

My experience is on public record in the Wasco County Courthouse in The Dallas, Oregon.

Why should Young Life, or any other major land owner be able to determine who can be on B.L.M.   Far as I am concern, it will lead further to major private land holders having even more control of public land.   Just the fact that Young Life wants the road vacated goes along what has happen in many cases in the west with roads being vacated and Federal Lands become permanently landlocked with no Public Access!

Contact to Comment to:    Greg Walden U.S. Congressman

Doc Hastings U.S. Congressman             Natural Resources Committee

Hunting Equipment

Martin Archery 60+ Years Strong!

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“MARTIN ARCHERY BUILDS THE FASTEST AND MOST ACCURATE BOWS IN THE WORLD”

Think about MARTIN ARCHERYa privately owned company that is still around and being highly successful.  Not many companies with the same owners that started the company are still around.  I find those that have there next generation involved from the start will last.   I would have to put Martin Archery up there with Tiffin RV when it comes to Product, Advancement in Technology and Service. 

There are three generations at Martin Archery still today, as Gail Martin and his wife are still around to see what is going on.   I understand that Gail Martinwent Antelope Hunting last year and can still get it done at 80+!  Hoorah!  He loves to drive a B Van to go hunting with his wife.  In 2009 Terry’s brother Dan Martin went on an Antelope Hunt with dad and witness dad taking an Antelope in Wyoming.   A comment was made to someones son by Dan Martin about the hunt!  “archery is a lifelong sport”

Martin Archery has been the leaders in the archery world with innovation, especially in the Compound Bow area, with Terry Martin being the creator of technological advance bows being put into the market place.   A great deal of other bow manufacturers have most likely gain knowledge from Terry’s ideas.  Martin Archery has more than 25 patents on designs and more to come.

Another area that might be interesting to look at that is connected to Martin Archery is Rytera Archery, I understand it is  “Aliens…” “Lightyears Ahead” in the archery world with all new Seeker 365!

Martin Archery has the bow for everyone, with the long bow and re-curve for those that want traditional bow shooting.   Once you check out the 2012 Martin Archery Catalog, you’ll find that there are many to choose from. The State of Oregon actually has a Traditional Bow Hunt in a few units in the state!

I have know about Martin Archery for about 35 years myself over the years of hunting.   When I first started to shoot the bow & arrow for hunting purposes it was around 1972.   My first bows of course were re-curve bows and I chased a many a buck with them and getting a few bucks on the way.

My first Martin Compound Bow was the Martin Cougar Magnum around 1980-82 I think back to.   It was fastest bow I had ever shot and it got the job done for me and many others that bought them in the Portland Metro Area in Oregon from Old Windy Linde (Chuck Linde) at a small shop out in Clackamas, OR.   He had a rack full of Martin Cougar Magnums’ and it didn’t take long for a few of use to get dialed up with the new hot bow in the country.  I took that bow and harvested my largest Oregon Blacktail Buck ever with that bow!

Over the years I have had and still have a number of Martin Compound bows to shoot.   I would think that bows are like rifles to the rifle hunter.   One is not enough, as I know the feelings from the rifles I have or have had and the bows I still have in the garage.

It has been a while since I had gotten into wanting another bow.   My Martin Pro Series Scepter II for hunting I have had for about 12 years and my fancy Scepter for target shooting for about 11 years.   Time sometimes slips away on when you have gotten a tool for hunting.

All new Onza 3 Pro in Black! Hot Stuff!

Recently I received a new Martin Gold Series Onza 3 (III) set at 29″, 71.4 lbs and left handed in black to hunt with from Terry Martin.   It is an ultimate shooting bow, that is very fast and quiet to shoot.    I once had the original Onza in Camo that was set at 90 lbs.   Great macho bow for sure, but on one hunt it got me into trouble as I was not able to pull it back while having 2 bucks broadside.   I found a fellow employee that worked for me in Wyoming that wanted to bow hunt and he could pull it back easily.

Over the years and many arrows later I have never had a failure in the hunting field or on the range with any of my Martin Bows.    I believe in preventative maintenance and I check my cables, screws and anything else tied to the bow before going into the field and have never had to worry about my Martin.   There is a reason why Martin gives a Limited Life Time Warranty on their bows to the original owner with sales slip, they are designed to last a lifetime!

There is a reason that Martin Archery has the slogan of  “FASTEST AND MOST ACCURATE BOWS IN THE WORLD”.    Martin has always built fast, accurate and reliable bows since I can remember! 

There is another sight that is very interesting to me on Archery that everyone should visit and see what is happening in the Archery World.  There are classified ads, manufacturer’s ads, tech forum, articles on shooting and hunting, including articles from Ted Nugent himself.    Check out Archery Talk and let me know what you feel about this website.

Bwana Bubba

Successful Hunters 2011

Joshua’s Interrupted Silvies Antelope Hunt

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When a planned trip does not go the way it was expected after 11 years of waiting!

The following story was sent to me by a young man that had drawn a Pronghorn Tag for the Silvies #2 hunt for 2011.   I like that way Joshua hunts and his thoughts about his hunt.   As you can see from the pictures he is dedicated hunter and from the Blacktail buck pictured in this story, he likes to trophy hunt!

Dear Mr. Biggs,
Thank you for your patience regarding the timely delivery of the story of my Silvies Lope hunt. Unfortunately, it is a disappointing story to due circumstances out of my control but there is always something to be learned every time I go out and with that in mind, no trip has ever been a waste.
First of all, let me say that this was the first antelope tag I have ever drawn in Oregon. I have hunted them one other time in Wyoming, where the herds can be seen spotting every rolling hillside and public and private is virtually the same thing. I did not know what to expect on this hunt which is what caused me to begin researching on the internet and eventually stumble on your website which was the most amazing resource I have come across. Everyone’s story updates are pretty cool too. 🙂 Your website allowed an under-prepared outdoorsman feel like he had done a little bit of scouting. You gave me a point of reference to start from and also, I believe, an edge psychologically to know that I was not wandering around in vain.

The night before opening day, I made the 8 hour drive over to beautiful central Oregon from the towering pines of southern Oregon in an amazing heavenly lightening show as I passed through the vast alfalfa fields. Using the coordinates you gave me I was able to find a campsite quickly, near a waterhole southwest of the well. Pulling in the dark, right away on the other side of the oasis, a small black bear was stalking around. I watched it in the headlights for a while, excitement brewing for the hunt to come.

Calling in the dogs in the snow!

The next morning I headed out before daylight and hiked through some of the canyons that were noted on the map you gave as I tried to get my bearings and a feel for the land. Sure enough, around ten o’clock, I was sitting at the base of a canyon taking a breather as the sun had began to heat up past the 75 degree mark, and I saw a lone buck tearing across the plain about a mile off. I watched him as he passed behind a small ridgeline out of site. I decided I was going to sneak up and over the face of that ridge and hopefully pop up directly above him thinking he might have slowed his pace after reaching the safety of the canyon walls. I started putting the sneak on him down across the plain, crossing a deep creek bed and up and over the ridge. Just as I hoped, I crawled slowly over the ridgeline through the sage and there he was standing broadside not more than 75 yards away!!! Here is the complicated part of the story. As I climbed up the ridge and reached the higher elevation, a ranch house came into view a couple miles off to my left and 100 or so head of cattle a half mile off to my right. As, I stared at the small buck in my scope (but the biggest I’d ever seen) the thoughts and voices of my mentors over the years raced through my mind and even as the Lope began to sense my presence and EVEN COME CLOSER, I couldn’t find the peace to pull the trigger. I knew I’d get another chance with 10 days left and decided I needed to really make sure I knew the public land boundaries. Later that evening I received a telephone call from work stating that I was needed for an emergency and that I had to return by Sunday.

Dandy Blackbear, up close with the leveraction!

In the remaining time I had there, I only saw one other group of females as far as I could tell, as they were too far off even with the spotting scope. I was disappointed that I could not finish the hunt as I felt like things were heating up and I was enjoying the challenge of a new species and a different terrain. That’s how life rolls sometimes I guess and I’m thankful for all the memories I had anyway.

BTW, I saw the biggest Muley I’ve EVER seen just bedded in the shade next to the road, an easy 35in wide with velvet hanging.

I wonder if that is a 30-30 or 32 Win Special?

Thank you so much for your help. I am not one to use a gps but I am definitely reconsidering it as I could have found precise spots that you told me about quickly and accurately. I look forward to trading information in the future. Again, thank you for your wealth of knowledge and your willingness to share it and your patience as I finished out the hunting year. I had a chance to guide a hunt in Chesnimus and finished out the year in Grants Pass where I reside. Here are a few pictures of this year other hunts.    JOSH

Boxing the Tom in!