Three Desert Bighorn Hunts

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A Publication for the Oregon Chapter of the FNAWS Winter 2007 Three Desert Bighorn Hunts Last year Stew Stone bought the Vizcaino Biosphere Desert Sheep Hunt in Baja California.

Three friends, Stew and fellow member Dennis Pahlisch of Bend plus Scott Limmer each bought Biosphere Tags in 2006.

Volume Seven ~ Issue One The intent was for all three hunters to go to Mexico and hunt together.

1 A Publication for the Oregon Chapter of the FNAWS Winter 2007 Three Desert Bighorn Hunts Last year Stew Stone bought the Vizcaino Biosphere Desert Sheep Hunt in Baja California. He was excited, yes, very excited about buying that tag and now, after the hunt is over, we know why. Three friends, Stew and fellow member Dennis Pahlisch of Bend plus Scott Limmer each bought Biosphere Tags in Dennis purchased his at the National FNAWS auction, Scott got his at the Minnesota FNAWS auction and Stew, of course, bought his at the Oregon FNAWS auction. Volume Seven ~ Issue One The intent was for all three hunters to go to Mexico and hunt together. As it turned out, each hunter finished his Grand Slam by getting a Desert Bighorn, although Stew started out 2006 with a half slam and had to bag his Rocky Mountain Bighorn in the fall of 2006 to make that possible. (See the story on Stew s Rocky Mountain Bighorn elsewhere in this newsletter.) All three hunters were successful. Each shot a beautiful ram. Equally important, when the hunters purchased their hunts, 90% of the monies raised go back to the Biosphere for sheep and habitat conservation. These three hunter/conservationists are responsible for sending more than $150,000 back to Mexico and wildlife conservation. Yes, hunters put sheep on the mountain. For the complete story, please go to the Oregon FNAWS website, In Stew s own words you can read about a truly wonderful hunt with two friends and his son. And there s a bunch more pictures as well. In This Issue: Presidents Message Convention Recap Hells Canyon Restoration Balance Sheet Great Year for Hunters Calendar of Events Membership Drive

Presidents Message ~ February 2007 I would like to thank all that made the trek to Salt Lake City, Utah, to the National FNAWS/ Mule Deer Foundation get together.

2 Presidents Message ~ February 2007 I would like to thank all that made the trek to Salt Lake City, Utah, to the National FNAWS/ Mule Deer Foundation get together. I was unable to attend this year but understand that it was an enjoyable and valuable event, with many interesting activities. I especially want to thank the volunteers who readily and unselfishly remained behind and manned the Oregon FNAWS booth! While on that subject, I would also like to thank the volunteers who manned the Oregon FNAWS booth at the Portland and Redmond Sports shows inclusively. Great job! I want to thank the folks on the 07 Leadership Team, the individuals that The Board of Directors elected at the Winter Meeting and will lead the way and effectively manage the Chapter s business. I very much appreciate your stepping up to the many challenges that we as an organization, face. Stepping Up, is the action of putting away the excuses like, I m too busy, I don t have time, or My schedule won t allow it, and moving ahead with the task, project, or detail, and finishing the chore ahead of schedule and in a manner in which we can all be proud of!! We have a number of folks in the organization that have in the past and are currently Stepping Up, for the good of the organization, for all of us! I thank you for your work ethic, your vision, and your enthusiasm! Larry Jacobs has done a superb job in bringing all of the stakeholders together in the Payette Forest Plan appeal process. Meetings in Lewiston, Id. over the past six months have been really valuable to a successful outcome! I would like to encourage all of you to participate in the Hands On Projects, scheduled this year. I would also like to encourage each of you to actively recruit one new friend or acquaintance, to OR-FNAWS, by introducing them to our newsletter, bringing them to our banquet, or sponsoring their membership! Recruiting new members must be a top priority for We need more folks that are really interested in hunting, actively participating in our programs, and actively supporting our mission of putting sheep on the mountain. When the Leadership Team contacts you for input or assistance, please cooperate with us! Thanks to all of you who have been and continue to be an active part of the solutions! George Stew s 3/4 Slam Hunt Stew Stone is no quitter. It took him five hunts over seven years and 81 actual hunt days to finally get his Rocky Mountain Bighorn. That gave Stew three of the four subspecies necessary for the sheep Grand Slam. He shot the animal in the wilderness area above Salmon, Idaho near the Bighorn Crags. (After 80 days a normal person would take up knitting.) Stew purchased the Idaho Governor s Tag and after only seven days hunting he had a 12½ year-old ram that measured 34 inches with 14 inch bases. He s a beauty! For Stew s full story on bagging a Rocky Mountain Bighorn plus a few more pictures, please go to Also in this issue is Three Desert Bighorn Hunts, Stew s story about sheep hunting in Baja. 2

The 2007 Convention at Salt Lake City There were a number of people

Mike and Ruthie Boethin, Larry Jacobs, Jim and Peg Peterson, Don and

Thomsen plus Jon and Jake Thomsen, Stew Stone, Tom Peterson, Brent and

While the numbers aren t in it is rumored that the convention was a

There were lots of booths, many outfitters and hunts available, a

Sam Mason won a rifle in one of the big raffles so his hot streak

3 The 2007 Convention at Salt Lake City There were a number of people from the Oregon Chapter that attended the convention in Salt Lake. Mike and Ruthie Boethin, Larry Jacobs, Jim and Peg Peterson, Don and Linda South, Larry and Jane Hunts, Sam and Bev Mason, Tom and Connie Thomsen plus Jon and Jake Thomsen, Stew Stone, Tom Peterson, Brent and Carole Tannock, Vic Coggins, Alden Glidden and Don Whittaker. While the numbers aren t in it is rumored that the convention was a huge financial success. A record amount for wildlife and conservation. There were lots of booths, many outfitters and hunts available, a couple of good auctions and great entertainment. Fun was had by all. Sam Mason won a rifle in one of the big raffles so his hot streak continues. Tom Thomsen investigating another hunt while at the FNAWS Convention in Salt Lake. 3

Hells Canyon Sheep Restoration From Francis Cassirer and Vic Coggins, ODFW The Hells Canyon Initiative is attempting to restore self-sustaining bighorn populations to suitable habitat in the Hells

of Sheep Square/Mile Oregon 4200 500 0.11 Idaho 3200 200 0.06 Washington 1500 200 0.10 Totals 8900 900 0.10 Mike Boethin Performs Transplant No, Mike is not a surgeon.

He was one of 30 or so workers that were putting sheep on a new mountain last December 5th.

4 Hells Canyon Sheep Restoration From Francis Cassirer and Vic Coggins, ODFW The Hells Canyon Initiative is attempting to restore self-sustaining bighorn populations to suitable habitat in the Hells Canyon area. As of the end of 2005 there were approximately 900 sheep spread over 8900 sq. mi. in Hells Canyon. Population Density Approx. Sheep State Sq. Miles No. of Sheep Square/Mile Oregon Idaho Washington Totals Mike Boethin Performs Transplant No, Mike is not a surgeon. But he was on a sheep transplant on both the Deschutes River and John Day River drainages that captured sheep and transplanted them to near French Glen in Harney County. He was one of 30 or so workers that were putting sheep on a new mountain last December 5th. After eating way too much at the Moro Café, Mike and a team led by ODFW s Rod Klus set up base camp about 10 miles from town. Their job was to receive sheep coming in with the helicopter, draw blood, vaccinate, put on radio collars and look at their teeth and mouths. While doing this Mike and the team were to keep the sheep as calm as possible, maintain low body temperatures and report to a vet if a sheep s temp rose. And they had to remain quiet by using hand signals if possible. Not exactly like branding calves. As a first-timer Mike said he was in awe of the whole process. As we await the helicopter I think about our mission and what it s like to be part of a transplant project. I ll never forget the experience just like I ll never forget my first sheep hunt in But now I get to give something back to the wild sheep thanks to the ODFW, Oregon FNAWS, OHA and the other organizations involved. Get involved and help put sheep on the mountain. Well said, Mike. Look for the next project, a guzzler installation in the Owyhee/ Leslie Gulch area. Called the Doe Island Project, the installation will occur May 4, 5, 6 of this year. Contact Mike at or mikebo@bendbroadband.com. population growth to be highly variable among various herds. The total number of sheep in Hells Canyon experienced a substantial die-off in the mid 90 s. This disease-caused reduction is shown in the line graph below. From 1997 to 2005, 224 sheep were radio collared and monitored twice a month, all in an effort to document ewe productivity and causes and rates of adult/lamb mortality. The major causes of mortality? Pneumonia and cougar predation. In fact, pneumonia is the single factor most limiting population growth. The disease is sporadic but chronic and can cause The future direction of the Hells Canyon Initiative will include increased emphasis on disease research and management and an integration of laboratory and field studies. Note: The above was taken from the Hells Canyon Bighorn Sheep Restoration file. 4

Oregon FNAWS Balance Sheet (As of 12/31/2006) Assets Current Assets Operating $15,200 Projects 92,887 Total Current Assets $108, 087 Long Term Assets Disease Research 5,000 Emergency Fund 22,887 Life

5 Oregon FNAWS Balance Sheet (As of 12/31/2006) Assets Current Assets Operating $15,200 Projects 92,887 Total Current Assets $108, 087 Long Term Assets Disease Research 5,000 Emergency Fund 22,887 Life Member Reserve 23,716 Long Term Project Reserve 39,063 Total Long Term Assets 90,666 Fixed Assets Furniture, Fixtures, Machinery, (net) 6,961 Permanent Equipment 3,512 Total Fixed Assets 10,473 ====== Total Assets $209,226 Liabilities and Equity Short and Long Term Liabilities Un-funded Project Commitments $49,934 Equity 159,292 ======= Total Liabilities and Equity $209,226 Note: Monies available for Projects is $92,887 shown in Current Assets less the Project Commitments of $49,934 or $42,953 available. An Update on Goats From Vic Coggins Mountain goat restoration in Oregon began in 1950 with five goats from Washington. The goats were released into the Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon. In the 1980 s 33 more goats were released into the Wallowas and another 21 were released into the Elkhorn Mountains. Some Things Are Not Right By Tom Thomsen In 1996 I was lucky enough to draw a sheep tag on my first try. I didn t know sheep from hockey pucks but my son talked me into applying so I did. I was actually irritated when I found out I had drawn a tag in the Steens; I didn t have the time. I hired a guide (Not a very good one, it turned out.) and went hunting. Long story short, I shot a ram that I would not have shot knowing what I know now. It was not huge. It scores 1341st amongst all California Bighorns shot in Oregon. But that one hunt did give me sheep fever. Six years later my wife Connie put in for a tag at my urging. She was reluctant but went ahead anyway. Well, she also drew a tag the first time she applied. She hunted the West John Day Unit and shot one that is currently 22nd on the alltime California Bighorn list. Don t get me wrong, I m happy for her. But I wish people would quit telling me how much bigger hers is. To see the list of successful hunters in 2006 as well as the long-term lists for both Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep and California Bighorn Sheep please go to the website www. oregonfnaws.org and click on Hunt Records. The information was provided by ODFW. Since 2000, 102 goats have been released to five different sites Hat Point, Cornucopia, PO Saddle, Eagle Creek and Menaha. All of these transplants seem to have been successful because Oregon now has an estimated population of 690 animals, which includes a small but very important herd of 15 in the Strawberry Mountains of Grant County. Through the years, hunters have harvested 60 animals. Because of the difficulty in differentiating males and females, 13 were nannies. Future objectives for mountain goats are to establish populations of goats in all suitable habitats, to monitor those herds and their health and to focus research on the needs of local populations. 5

A Great Year for Sheep Hunters Sheep hunters in Oregon had a good year in 2006. Eighty-eight hunters had tags and the right to hunt either California Bighorn or Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.

6 A Great Year for Sheep Hunters Sheep hunters in Oregon had a good year in Eighty-eight hunters had tags and the right to hunt either California Bighorn or Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. Of the 88 tag holders, 81 were successful. Four of the successful hunters were members of either the Umatilla or Warm Springs Indian tribes. Oregon Chapter of Foundation for North American Wild Sheep 8th Annual Banquet & Fund-raiser Saturday April 21, 2007 Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center Redmond ~ Live Auctions ~ Silent Auctions ~ Rack of Guns ~ Raffles for all ages Oregon s Access & Habitat statewide Elk Hunt. Need not be present to bid. Bidding to start at 7 p.m., April 21, Hunt anywhere in the state from September 1st to November 30th. 8 p.m. Live Auction - Our 2nd annual Desert Sheep permit for the Mexico Vizcaino Biosphere. Hunting on the Baja. Contact Larry Jacobs for all the details at (503) Click onto our website at Make a reservation for the banquet, and learn more about Oregon FNAWS. Support our wildlife conservation community. Join our organization today, and make a difference for our future. Successful hunters included John Amistoso, the Auction Tag Holder, who bagged a 171 4/8 California Bighorn, a very nice trophy. As noted in the last issue of this newsletter, Alan Brown killed a huge 179 4/8 California Bighorn in the Aldrich Mountains near Dayville in Grant County. A second hunter in the Aldrich Mountains, Greg Marshall, connected on a 174 4/8 ram. Bet that area doesn t get ignored in the future. The lower John Day River area continues to produce nice rams. Ralph Thomas, Phil Sherrel and Kim Woodward all nailed rams in the 174 plus range. Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep produce higher scoring trophies and 2006 was no exception. Although there were no monster 200 plus rams scored this year there were definitely some nice ones. J Simmons hunted in the Wenaha unit and bagged the biggest, a ram that was 7 ½ years old and scored 183 3/8. M. Pettit and E. Hoffman also brought home some nice trophies at 181 3/8 and 178 4/8 respectively. Congratulations to all successful hunters. What a great experience. More extensive records can be found on the Oregon FNAWS website. Just go to and click on Hunt Records. While you re at it, join both Oregon FNAWS and the National FNAWS, and help put more sheep in the mountains where they belong. Poacher Strikes in Leslie Gulch The Oregon State Police is looking forward to catching some idiot who killed a bighorn ram, took the head and left the carcass to rot. The sheep in Leslie Gulch and the Owyhees have enough problems without illegal hunters taking a toll. Even one sheep lost can have an impact on a struggling herd. Oregon FNAWS and OHA have added funds to the Oregon State Police TIP reward program in an effort to bring the culprit to justice. The reward for information leading to an arrest should be as high as $10,000. String em up, I say. Remember the sheep that was poached in Lake County? As I understand it, a warrant has been issued but the *@#% has fled the country. 6

7 Calendar of Events Oregon FNAWS Banquet, Redmond Apr. 21, 2007 Board Meeting, Redmond Apr. 22, 2007 Doe Island Guzzler Project, Owyhee May 4, 5, 6, 2007 Deadline for Controlled Hunt Tags and License May 15, 2007 Summer Board Meeting, The Dalles July 13, 14, 15, 2007 Sheep Orientation Day, The Dalles July 14, 2007 National FNAWS Convention Feb. 6 to 9, 2008 Safari Club International Convention Jan. 23 to 26, 2008 Tim Lawton Bags a Bighorn Tim Lawton shot a beautiful bighorn, his first, in Eastern Oregon. It is always a thrill to win the lottery and get a tag and Tim was definitely thrilled. We don t know the score of the ram but he s a perfect example of a dark old ram. To read the full story about Tim s hunt and what it meant to him, please go to our website, and click on News and then Member Hunts. With any luck this story and others will be available by the time the newsletter is out. Hey, take a look at the website. We have added a few items and updated others. You can see hunt records for both California and Rocky Mountain Bighorns, past issues of this newsletter, updated links to other chapters and Nat l FNAWS and plus information about Mountain Goats. If you have any ideas or suggestions please forward to: lonepinetom@aol.com MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Share your SHEEP FEVER JOURNAL newsletter with friends, and encourage them to become members of Oregon FNAWS. For every 3 new members who mention your name when signing up for any type of membership, you will receive a one year membership extension FREE! or a golf shirt with the FNAWS logo or $35 in raffle tickets at the next fundraiser, your choice. This offer will end at the 8th annual banquet and fundraiser in April or May of Take this opportunity to help Oregon FNAWS grow. OR-FNAWS Membership Application (Please Print) Checks Payable to: OR-FNAWS Name Mailing Address City State Zip Phone Annual $30 Family $55 Life $500 VISA MC AX Credit Card Number Expiration Date Credit Card Charge for $ Your Signature Check Enclosed for $ Send application to: Membership Committee Oregon FNAWS, c/o Linda South P.O. Box 1088, North Plains, Oregon FOR QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT LINDA SOUTH at dljsouth@pcez.com 7

Oregon Chapter Foundation for North American Wild Sheep Executive Board President George Houston Vice President Mike Boethin Vice President Kevin Carling Secretary Robert Welsh Treasurer Liane Vest

8 Oregon Chapter Foundation for North American Wild Sheep Executive Board President George Houston Vice President Mike Boethin Vice President Kevin Carling Secretary Robert Welsh Treasurer Liane Vest Nick Berg George Houston Brent Tannock Mike Boethin Larry Jacobs Connie Thomsen Kevin Carlin Tom Liming Tom Thomsen Vic Coggins Tom Petersen Board Members Liane Vest Dave Geelan Don Pillar Troy Vest Larry Hunts Don South Stan Washington Jane Hunts Linda South Robert Welsh Oregon FNAWS P.O. Box 1088 North Plains, Oregon 97133

Oregon Chapter. Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. 11th Annual Banquet & Fundraiser

Oregon Chapter. Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. 11th Annual Banquet & Fundraiser Oregon Chapter Foundation for North American Wild Sheep 11th Annual Banquet & Fundraiser Saturday April 10th, 2010 KAH-Nee-TA Resort & Casino, Warm Springs, Oregon SCHEDULE OF EVENT TIMES Friday 10:00