BajaNomad

Now..That's a Great Rack.

Pompano - 7-9-2015 at 10:20 AM

I had to admire this impressive elk rack at a Mn. State Fair booth. I'm sure you do, too. Incidentally, it was one of many 'sheds' on display. Antler shedding by elk occurs in the spring...which makes for some fine treasure hunting times while enjoying a nature walk.


TMW - 7-9-2015 at 10:23 AM

I like the bear.

DianaT - 7-9-2015 at 10:34 AM

It is just amazing to me that antlers can grow so large every year!

Pompano - 7-9-2015 at 10:48 AM

Diane, it has to do with genetics, age, and food quality. Peak times for a big rack will be when the bull is between 8-12 years. The rack can grow at an alarming rate...sometimes up to 1 inch a day during the summer. If a bull gets too old, say more than 13 years, the racks tend to regress and become less impressive.

As a sidenote... biologists are studying antlers in the hopes of learning the secrets of rampant cell growth, secrets that may unlock cures to various forms of cancer.

DianaT - 7-9-2015 at 10:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Pompano  
Diane, it has to do with genetics, age, and food quality. Peak times for a big rack will be when the bull is between 8-12 years. The rack can grow at an alarming rate...sometimes up to 1 inch a day during the summer. If a bull gets too old, say more than 13 years, the racks tend to regress and become less impressive.

As a sidenote... biologists are studying antlers in the hopes of learning the secrets of rampant cell growth, secrets that may unlock cures to various forms of cancer.


I love seeing the antlers on deer, elk and moose when they are in velvet as they just look softer and friendlier. I know, that probably makes no sense at all. :biggrin:

It does seem like it would be great if scientists could discover the secrets.

jimgrms - 7-9-2015 at 11:10 AM

I was expecting another kind of Rack!

Pompano - 7-9-2015 at 11:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by jimgrms  
I was expecting another kind of Rack!


Then this pretty set is just for you, Jim. Not a shed, but what's left of the whole critter. We came across them on a walkabout in Yellowstone Park. Park ranger told us it was most likely wolves.

Enjoy and don't get so excited that you raise your blood pressure. :rolleyes:



P.S. And just wait a bit...someone will be along soon to take the 'rack' bait.



[Edited on 7-9-2015 by Pompano]

AKgringo - 7-9-2015 at 11:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
I like the bear.


The bears also shed their hides in the spring, not usually in one piece though.

In my shed, I have a moose rack with a 58 inch spread, it weighs 60 pounds. Imagine what it is like wearing a hat like that, especially if one side falls off before the other is ready.

They get much bigger than that, a six foot spread is not uncommon.

DianaT - 7-9-2015 at 11:30 AM

We captured this guy in velvet last week at Point Reyes!



Not a bad rack still growing. :D

Pompano - 7-9-2015 at 11:34 AM

A fine youngster, Diane...he might have been a 'spike' last year.

Sweetwater - 7-9-2015 at 11:37 AM

I got so confused.....since I smoked a huge rack for the Fourth of July.....instead of blowing stuff up.....

bajabuddha - 7-9-2015 at 11:46 AM

:bounce:



...somebody had to........

motoged - 7-9-2015 at 01:04 PM

Those of you who enjoy the outdoors appreciate the seasonal changes you experience when out there....It is important to keep track of seasonal changes.
Here is a link for a helpful calendar...order yours before they run out:

http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2009/09/2010-whitetail-rack-girls-calendar






[Edited on 7-9-2015 by motoged]

durrelllrobert - 7-9-2015 at 03:04 PM

You can bring moose meat into the US from Canada but not the rack. Go figure

AKgringo - 7-9-2015 at 03:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert  
You can bring moose meat into the US from Canada but not the rack. Go figure


You can't bring them in at all? In Alaska, it is not lawful to possess the fresh antlers unless you have retained (or can account for) the meat. Wanton waste of meat for the sake of a trophy can get costly!

Hook - 7-9-2015 at 03:56 PM

Thanks, Ged.

That more than makes up for the MISLEADING HEADLINE CONTAINING NO CO-PILOT SHOTS, WHATSOEVER !!!!!!!!

I was schnookered in ....................

motoged - 7-9-2015 at 03:59 PM

Hook,
I think we all gobbled up Roger's bait :biggrin:

Pompano - 7-9-2015 at 04:15 PM

I've shipped moose meat and antlers (also ptarmigan mounts and bear skins) from Alaska to the States with no problems other than having the proper permits, papers, and payment. I.E., a Cites permit for bear. Sometimes you need to split the rack..depends on the carrier.

AKgringo - 7-9-2015 at 04:56 PM

Pompano, you don't have to retain the meat, but if you are required to salvage it. If you give it away to locals or other hunters, you should be prepared to have them back up the gift.

Most violations are cited in the field when hunters are in camp with all horns and no meat. Float plane docks and landing strips that hunters use are also watched by fish and game.

One of my kids worked for an air taxi operation that carried a lot of hunters. He frequently brought home meat that was reluctantly salvaged by hunters that were not allowed to take it home (Germans for one) or they just didn't want it. The standards of care they used field dressing the meat was usually poor!

Pompano - 7-9-2015 at 06:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
.............

One of my kids worked for an air taxi operation that carried a lot of hunters. He frequently brought home meat that was reluctantly salvaged by hunters that were not allowed to take it home (Germans for one) or they just didn't want it. The standards of care they used field dressing the meat was usually poor!


Unfortunately, AKGringo, we've seen our fair share of slob hunters, not just in America...but all over the world. Those types of hunters would hunt with us just once...if that. Like our fathers who handed down some very strict rules about conservation of nature, we abide no indiscretions against that policy and we waste nothing from any game or fowl. Like any endeavor of man, thank God there are many more good ones than bad.

Killing of bears for the gall bladder, sharks for their livers, elk for their teeth and horn, tiger bones, rhino horn...all examples of criminal waste of game.... which would tempt a sudden response.

AKgringo - 7-9-2015 at 08:20 PM

Pompano, I share your contempt for slob hunters. I was glad that fish and game was able to punish at least a few of them when they were busted at the float plane dock. With all the traffic coming and going on Lake Hood, how would they know to check that plane? Almost as if there was a code being broadcast on the air traffic channel (pilots hate slob hunters too)

During the mid 80s, we had five boys in the household, so sport caught fish and game was an important part of our food supply. We spent quite a bit chasing it down, but the payoff was quality family time, and an appreciation for nature.

I have not hunted for years. It is not that I wouldn't enjoy it, but I am single and do not need that much meat, and can't justify taking an animal just to give it away. I feel the same way about bill fish as well.

[Edited on 7-11-2015 by AKgringo]

durrelllrobert - 7-11-2015 at 10:53 AM

As far as I know Alasca is still part of the USA and the same laws are Enforced by Fish and Game in every state.. Coming in from Canada they are enforced by US Customs (CBP). CBP has been entrusted with enforcing hundreds of laws for 40 other government agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Game and Hunting tropies are on their probited list at the Canadian border.

Information on bringing back your game or hunting trophy can be found at the Hunting and Fishing page.

Currently, 14 ports of entry are designated to handle game and trophies; other ports must get approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to clear your entry.

Depending on the species you bring back, you might need a permit from the country where the animal was harvested. Regardless of the species, you are required to fill out a Fish and Wildlife Form 3-177, Declaration for Importation or Exportation.

Trophies may also be subject to inspection by CBP for sanitary purposes. General guidelines for importing trophies can be found on under the APHIS Import Authorization System (IAS) on the Guidelines for the Importation of Ruminant, Swine, and Bird Trophies page


Pompano - 7-13-2015 at 08:46 AM

This was emailed by a certain Nomad amiga with a request to post it...therefore this absolves me of any personal responsibilities.


"My sweet husband invited me to go hunting with him this year. I couldn't believe it...the first time ever!

I never thought he'd be willing to share his 'guy time' with me and being the thoughtful man that he is, he even gave me an opening day present. He calls it 'The First Timers Lucky Hat'.

I'm so fortunate to be married to him.

I have attached a picture of me in my lucky hat."





AKgringo - 7-13-2015 at 09:25 AM

Sitting in that duck blind with a shotgun, she will probably be safe enough. That photo shop job could damage her reputation a bit though, when it gets around that she is 'horny'!

BornFisher - 7-13-2015 at 09:29 AM

Luckiest hat I`ve ever seen!!!

Pompano - 7-13-2015 at 09:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Sitting in that duck blind with a shotgun, she will probably be safe enough......


Hah, being an old waterfowler, I noticed the duck blind scene, too...and then thought.... Well, she might be in Minnesota, which, among other timbered states, is popular for deer hunting with a slug-loaded shotgun.

Then again, I've heard stories of fellows saying they had some great 'sound' shots on their hunts?

It's no wonder some poor blokes are shot out of their tree stands! :O





[Edited on 7-13-2015 by Pompano]

Copy of Hunt - me in treestand.jpg - 38kB

Wyoming turf and surf

durrelllrobert - 7-13-2015 at 10:10 AM

While walleye fishing on Seminoe Lake in western Wyoming we allways made sure we had a rifle on board and when the proghorns came down to water ...well, guess what we had for dinner. My uncle has a house there just outside the park land so their rules do not apply. :spingrin:

Pompano - 7-13-2015 at 10:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert  
While walleye fishing on Seminoe Lake in western Wyoming we allways made sure we had a rifle on board and when the proghorns came down to water ...well, guess what we had for dinner. My uncle has a house there just outside the park land so their rules do not apply. :spingrin:


Although I've never wanted to hunt that way, I've seen where it's pretty much the same practice at Fort Peck Lake in NE Montana....but there are rules to be followed which are nationwide: It is illegal to shoot from a boat if the motor is running or the boat is still moving. Also your firearm must be unloaded if in a boat with the motor running or the boat is still moving. Illegal to shoot within 100 yards of any dwelling or 50 yards from any road's centerline.

[Edited on 7-13-2015 by Pompano]