Incredible, fun, exciting, challenges!!! Many words could be used to describe our 2007 season, but there is probably one word that sums it up best – Fortunate. As we have been updating our website, I have had the opportunity to look over the numerous success photos of our clients and have been reminded just how truly fortunate we have been over the years, and 2007 was no exception.
Our antelope hunts started the season off great with seven of our ten New Mexico hunters taking bucks that qualified for Boone & Crockett’s all time listing. Several of these bucks were 17” long, with the largest buck being taken by Dillon Baloun of South Dakota that officially nets right at 90” B&C Points. Our overall average on our New Mexico hunts was just under 84” B&C points (83 6/8”). Our Utah antelope hunts also went well with all of our hunters taking nice pronghorn bucks in the 14” to 15” range. Our overall success rate for 2007 was 100%!
Our 2007 trophy bull elk hunts were awesome with every one of our leases producing 350 plus bulls! This should speak volumes about our ability to manage for big game trophy animals. Stuart Thain, long time friend and client, was the lucky hunter to harvest the highest scoring bull of the season. This monster bull grossed 387 B&C points as a 5×6 and had 60” beams!!! Congrats Stu on another great trophy with Bucks & Bulls! The average B&C score on all of our leases for 2007 were as good as or better than previous years with the exception of one ranch, on which the average score was down as well as the success rate. We felt that this was due to a very dry summer and that a lack of feed had the animals somewhat displaced. Overall we had a 94% success rate with 100% opportunity, and with all the moisture that we have received this winter we feel that 2008 could be as good as ever.
We often say that trophy mule deer are our passion; but some years we have to ask ourselves “why”, as they can be so stinkin’ tough to hunt, this leads us to another one of our mottos “Trophy Mule Deer are tough”; however in 2007 things really seemed to come together! It was an outstanding year and a wonderful reminder of just why we love to pursue this wily animal – the muley buck! 2007 produced numerous bucks that grossed over 190 B&C points including several bucks that scored over 200 B&C points. The largest non-typical was a 35” 9×10 monster that grossed 225 B&C points taken by Richard Biddinger. The largest typical was a buck that had almost 28” beams, grossed 206 B&C points, and officially netted 194 B&C points taken by Stuart Thain. 2007 will go down in the books as one of the best and will be a tough year to top, however we sure look forward to trying in 2008!
Our 2007 Shiras moose hunts were also very good of which we ran 100% success and took two bulls that scored 150 B&C points or better. These hunts take place during the rut and provide our clients with a great opportunity to see a lot of game.
