Braggin' Rights. . . part 3

Continuing with some more hunting stories about my friend Dave Keiser and his quest for a Grand Slam on North American Sheep.

The year was 1985 and the state Nevada. He put in for a Desert Sheep tag, of which there is only 1 out of state tag per year and 3 in state tags. As luck would have it, Dave got his tag on the first try. He was hunting in an area dedicated to managing sheep called Desert National Wildlife Range. Sparse vegetation and limited water availability, which meant having to pack in your own potable water. The sheep got much of their water needs met by eating cactus, grass and what little brush was available.

On the third day of the hunt he and hunting partner went to the S. end of their unit and set up a modest camp near the mountains. The next morning on their way uphill to a glassing area they jumped a large Ram. Not much time for talking so Dave fired a shot off hand and the Sheep didn't go far. Dave was only able to see one side of the Rams horns and knowing it was a legal Ram, yet didn't see the busted horn on the other side. All in all a great animal and nothing to feel bad about.

Well now, his next quest is the Stone Sheep and hunting an area which Jack O'Connor made famous with a story titled "A Day In Ram Heaven". This was not going to be an inexpensive hunt considering you had to have a guide. The guides in fact were the ones who controlled the permits and made the final decision, plus he had to get himself up to British Columbia.

The year was 1987, Dave and his wife had 5 kids at home and were a bit strapped for cash. He had a chat with his wife and she agreed to cash in their life insurance policy to fund the trip. They both drove up to B.C. together then she wished him luck and flew home. He then flew 80 miles into base camp out of Fort Nelson B.C. and was at the foot of the Canadian Rockies. Here the guide had his main headquarters set up next to a lake, with Moose feeding and creeks choked full of Artic Grayling. He ate more than his share of Grayling on this trip.

He had quite the trip this time. His guides were 2 American Indians, one young and one very experienced. He waited and watched as his guides loaded the pack horses and figured he didn't need to keep to close an eye on them, as they must know what to bring and how to properly pack. So with his 2 guides they headed up the Muskwa River drainage going cross country with 4 packed horses. On the way one of the horses fell and ended up dieing from its injuries. Eventually they got to their base camp and set up for the next days hunt. The next morning Dave was without coffee as the guides drank only tea. He wasn't very impressed with their packing job now, and felt maybe he'd been better off to have kept a closer eye on them when they were packing. Anyhow tea it was, and after a quick breakfast the older guide took off and Dave followed. On foot they crossed a creek and began heading up a long series of benches and waterfalls. Never seeing any Sheep this day, although they saw many Caribou as they got into a very large basin. So back to camp they went. The next day they rode up to a good glassing spot in a different basin from the previous day. As they began to eat their lunches, they were glassing the slopes across from them and saw it was full of Sheep. In total 25 Rams they sighted with their spotting scope. No time to waste they got moving downhill, crossed a creek and large ravine and started uphill. It took hours to get above the Rams and then Dave had to wait for his Ram to stand up. Finally he stood. . . Boom! Missed, just over his back. From 400 yards above the Ram he had no idea where the shot came from and was confused. Dave chambered another round into his pre '64 270 cal. and shooting off hand this time, he connected. The big Ram rolled and rolled to the bottom of the canyon breaking off about 3" of horn on the left side. The curl measured 40 1/8 Long. He didn't get a width measurement, although from the photo it is quite wide!

The Ram was beautiful and what lie ahead was a very enjoyable evening at camp followed by riding out the next day. Completing his North American Sheep Grand Slam.

The photo is of his guide with his Stone Sheep.

Well, I hope you are beginning to understand why I wanted to brag a bit about Dave. He is an exceptional individual, a great story teller and just a pleasure to be with. I might have one more tails to tell of a trip he and I took many years ago.

Braggin' Rights . . . part. 2

Let's see now, where was I ? Oh yea, the hunting portion about my friend Dave Keiser.

Being an avid hunter since he was a kid and never having much interest in chasing sheep, well that is until he drew his first tag in Oregon. That was in the early 80's and that sparked an interest alright. The first time he puts in for the tag he gets it, and he got his first Bighorn Sheep too!

Since he was now inspired to hunt Sheep he put in for Dall sheep. It took him 2 years this time before drawing the coveted tag in 1982. Dave met up with his guide and they were flown in and dropped off near the top of the Alaska Range with 10 days worth of supplies. The law reads that the Dall Sheep must have a full curl to be legal for harvest. They saw rams everyday but none were legal. Not until the sixth day when they were eating breakfast did they see a legal ram. Then, they actually saw 3 legal rams across the valley from where they were. So the long stalk began. They spent several hours going downhill, crossing a stream and gaining elevation so as to get above the ram to have the best possible shot. Realizing that he might only get the one shot on this trip. He and his guide glassed once more to be sure they had the right ram picked out and Dave made an excellent shot. The Dall measured 42" W. with 1 1/8 curl and 38 1/2 L.

Being this was the sixth day he and his guide still had 4 days to wait for the plane. He stashed the meat in a snow bank where the plane landed, yet was concerned about the horns and cape being taken by a bear. So that night he went out of his little pup tent and got the horns and cape and brought them back to his tent. When his guide woke up in the morning he'd never seen such a sight in all his life! Dave was lying on his back sound asleep clutching the horns and cape to his chest. No bear was gonna get away with his Ram! The weather turned for the worse and they got snowed in for the next 3 days. The guide had brought in a bottle of Royal Crown so they drank whiskey and ate Sheep liver til the storm broke and the plane arrived on the tenth day.

So, he's half way to his Grand Slam and my money is on him to get the full slam! I'm pretty sure he can get it done if anyone can.

Women's Hunting Journal Integrity For The Hunt

Do Your Research!

Alright, so I think I have gained my composure enough now to write about a very serious topic. That being one of hiring a taxidermist to preserve your cherished trophy. When it comes to the world of taxidermist, they too have their share of charlatans, those who are wannabes and talk a good talk all the way to the bank with your hard earned money. Leaving you, the customer with a slim chance of reversing the damage which they did to your "one of a kind-once in a lifetime" trophy. Tarnishing forever a cherished memory.

So, be warned and do your research. This includes those who are just casual acquaintances, who call themselves taxidermists.We don't go to just any ol' doctor, realtor or drop off the kids at the baby sitter without investigating who these people are and their business history. We want, no we need to know if there is something undesirable in their history. Call your local better business bureau and conduct basic interviews with more than one taxidermist before you hire them. Talk with the president of your own, states taxidermists association and find out who not to go to, and who they recommend in your area. This is imperative, you must do your homework before you have that trophy in your hands. Waiting til you need a taxidermist is inadvisable. Reasons being you are elated with your trophy and the shady "taxidermist" will talk a good line leaving you feeling confident until you go pick up your trophy and then it's to late.

This past year I personally have had problems with a local taxidermist. So I speak from experience and trust me, there are few things that are as hard to swallow as a trophy that is forever damaged. Especially when the taxidermist claims to have done it correctly and takes no responsibility for the damages sustained. Yet the evidence is as plain as the nose on your face. Can you say, "boiling blood"? There is very little recourse. The best remedy is to do your research, spell out in detail exactly how you want your mount to be done and make sure this information is in writing on the work order. No detail is to small. A reputable taxidermist will be glad you are this concerned about your animal...they should be too. Ask for references of their work because it is you who are hiring them for a service. Ultimately the best way to protect yourself and your recent trophy is to educate yourself and become a knowledgeable and savvy client. Good luck and be careful! (P.S. I can tell you one not to go to!) http://www.nationaltaxidermists.com/

Women's Hunting Journal Integrity For The Hunt