Liberte Austin’s Hunting Digest: Pigs, Bears, Wolves, A Ghost and The Donald Jr.

No matter how much fun it is to hunt pigs, it’s not worth hunting them off a 200 foot ravine. Especially when you are 71-years-old. Even for a Californian, this was pretty dumb. However, I’m glad he survived and geez is this man tough as nails.

Pig hunter rescued by helicopter after plummeting down ravine

A 71-year-old man out hunting pigs in a remote area near Healdsburg on Sunday fell about 200 feet down a ravine and had to be rescued by a Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter crew, officials said Monday.

The Vallejo man, whose name was not released, was hunting with his son when he plummeted down the ravine, injuring his hip and rendering him unable climb to safety. Police and medical personnel met the man’s son on the 1400 block of Shaina Road outside of Healdsburg at about 11:45 a.m., and he led them about a mile to his injured father, officials said.

The man’s injuries were too severe to walk out or for first responders to carry him out.
Crews from Cal Fire joined the rescue effort and used chainsaws to cut down three trees and open a hole in the canopy large enough to lower a paramedic down to the injured hunter, who was lifted out on stretcher.

The injured hunter was then flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment.

I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t want the Secret Service following me on a hunting trip to the Yukon. Black suits and dress shoes would not fare well against the elements in that part of the world. You go on your hunt Trump Jr., we’re pretty sure you can handle yourself out there.

Donald Trump Jr. reportedly ditched his Secret Service to hunt moose in Canada

Donald Trump Jr. had his Secret Service protection restored this week after briefly giving up the protection for a hunting trip in the Canadian wilderness.

The New York Times reported last week that Trump Jr. was ditching his security detail for unknown reasons, but noted Trump Jr. was seeking more privacy.

It turns out, according to a reporter for New York Times Magazine, that Trump Jr. was leaving the Secret Service behind so he could be alone during a hunting trip in Canada’s Yukon Territory. The reporter, Luke Dittrich, spotted Trump Jr. at the airport in Yukon’s capital city after receiving a tip from a friend, and detailed his exchange with him in an article published on Wednesday.

Trump Jr.’s initial decision to opt out of his Secret Service protection provided temporary relief to the agency tasked with keeping the president and his family safe. The Secret Service has been spread thin because of the Trump family’s traveling habits, which include regular trips to President Donald Trump’s resorts and golf properties as well as business trips to far-flung destinations around the world.

As an immediate family member of the president, Trump Jr. is authorized to have round-the-clock Secret Service protection until the agency is told to stop.

Thank goodness this man was packing a gun and not bear repellant. If you’re hunting in the wild, always carry a sidearm.  It’s so much easier to reach for your pistol than your rifle when a bear is 12 feet away from you.

Father and son hunting black bears nearly killed by grizzly

A father and son hunting black bears in Montana were nearly killed by a grizzly after they suddenly found themselves just 12 feet away from the beast, wildlife officials said.

The unidentified father and his adult son were hiking through “steep slopes and thick vegetation” near the Hungry Horse Reservoir in the northwestern portion of the state Sunday when they came upon the grizzly bear, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials.

“The bear charged at them and attacked the son,” the agency said in a statement released Wednesday. “They saw the brush moving 25 to 30 yards away, but did not see the bear until it was about 12 feet away.”

The 250-pound female grizzly bear then grabbed the younger hunter’s right arm at the elbow, prompting the man’s father to shoot the bear to get the animal off his son.

“The bear released, and the father shot again,” state wildlife officials said. “The father shot the bear one more time, at very close range, as the bear turned toward him.”

The agency’s Human Attack Response Team responded to the scene later Sunday and found the dead female grizzly nearby. Investigators determined that the animal was roughly 12 years old and was in good condition prior to the killing.

Just like a politician, thinking they are above the law. Either this man doesn’t believe the system works in catching up with these types of crimes or he doesn’t respect the system. In the words of Donald Trump, Troy Downing, you’re fired.

U.S. Senate candidate charged with nine Montana hunting violations

A Big Sky businessman seeking the Republican nomination to run against U.S. Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in 2018 is facing seven misdemeanor charges accusing him of trying to buy Montana resident hunting or fishing licenses as an out-of-state resident.

Troy Downing was cited July 21 seven times for unlawful purchase of or apply for resident license by nonresident. He was cited an eighth time for transferring a hunting license to another person and a ninth time for assisting an unqualified applicant in obtaining a hunting license.

Downing pleaded not guilty to the charges at an Aug. 23 appearance in Gallatin County Justice Court. The dates of the violations range from Nov. 11, 2011, to June 16, 2016. The citations did not include a court affidavit, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials would not release the residential license requirements Downing is accused of violating.

Oh yeah, come to mamma. I would love to take this baby on a long range Elk hunt. Not because this much gun is needed but because it would be so fun.

Grey Ghost Precision Announces 6.5 Creedmoor to Catalog of Precision Rifles

Lakewood, WA – Grey Ghost Precision, leading manufacturers of accurate, reliable, and attainable weapon systems, is excited to announce a new caliber to their series of rifles— the increasingly popular 6.5mm Creedmoor, or to their family and friends, “The Grim.” The Grim, as is the case with all the Grey Ghost Rifles, is built on the powerful Grey Ghost Precision 7075-T651 billet  – for both the upper and ambi-lower receiver set. After being cut, they are True Black Type III Mil Spec Hard Coat Anodized, with additional cerakoting options available.

The handguard is available in the KeyMod and the new M-LOK hand guard systems, a Magpul Gen3 PRS Stock and a Superlative Arms Adjustable Gas block.

The Grim comes with a CMC Curved or Flat Trigger, with the option to choose Geissele SSA-E with a $160.00 up-charge. The barrel is a 22” Proof Research Stainless barrel with a 1:8 twist.

“This particular caliber is the fastest growing caliber for tactical shooters, and is a great section for medium to long range (500 to 1,000 yds.) shooting,” stated Grey Ghost CEO, Casey Ingels. “Ballistically speaking, when compared to other rifles in the PRS circuit, like the .308, the 6.5 Creedmoor outperforms, with a noticeable reduction in recoil.”

Grey Ghost spends no time, wasted on production – partnering with only the best in the industry, to ensure that every product that goes out the door is worthy of it’s name. Maintaining that realm of excellence, the Grim was in production for nearly two years. What you get, is a competition-ready rifle, as soon as it comes out of the box.

“Originally developed to be based closely to that of our popular S-Heavy, the Grim needed some outside expertise in order to truly be perfect,” stated GGP Director of Business Development, Lindsey Lea.  “We sent the original design over to Jim Staley and the team at Deliberate Dynamics, who helped to spec everything (trigger, buffer, gas block) and ensure that everything ran as it should. Once we had the rifle dialed in, I got in touch with Scott Satterlee (as he’s pretty much a legend).  His initial response was “I LOVE IT”, but requested an upgraded PROOF barrel with an extended gas system. Adding that barrel alleviated any remaining minor issues we were having with the gun.”

Hmmmmm, would you rather have a grizzly bear walk up 12 feet in front of you or a hungry pack of wolves? I’ll take the wolves. Not much into getting eaten alive, at least wolves will go for a quick kill.

Northern Minnesota hunter has harrowing encounter with pack of wolves

ISABELLA, Minn. — Justin Bailey of Keewatin was hunting ruffed grouse near Isabella on Tuesday morning when a wolf chased his hunting dog out of the woods.
“He was coming at me 100 miles per hour, and right behind him was a wolf, biting at his heels,” said Bailey, 33. “They probably passed five or six feet from us.”

Justin Bailey of Keewatin and his German wirehaired pointer, Henry, had a memorable encounter with several wolves while hunting near Isabella on Sept. 26, 2017. (Justin Bailey photo via Forum News Service)
Bailey was standing at the edge of the road with his son, Andrew Bailey, 3, and his nephew, Brock Bjelland, 5, of Marble, whom he had brought along for the day of hunting.

The wolf chased the dog, Henry, a 1-year-old German wirehaired pointer, back to Bailey’s pickup in the road, he said.
“The dog jumped in the window of the truck, and the wolf did a quick lap around the truck,” Bailey said.
That’s when Bailey noticed two more wolves coming out of the woods at the edge of the road. Three more came out about 100 yards down the road, Bailey said.

Which is better Cabela’s or Bass Pro? I would have to say Cabela’s. I wonder how this will affect their product line in the months to come.

Bass Pro and Cabela’s Officially Join Forces

The latest round of regulatory approval happened earlier this month. Bass Pro’s official filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission happened today.

Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris issued a statement today about the merger, in a news release.

“We are excited to unite these iconic American brands to better serve our loyal customers and fellow outdoor enthusiasts,” Morris says. “As we move forward, we are committed to retaining everything customers love about both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s by creating a ‘best-of-the-best’ experience that includes the superior products, outstanding customer service and exceptional value our customers have come to expect. We’re also deeply motivated by the potential to significantly advance key conservation initiatives.”

Morris just opened the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield last week. Former Presidents George W. Bush (R) and Jimmy Carter (D) and actor Kevin Costner were among those in attendance.

Johnny Morris founded Bass Pro Shops in 1972, in the back of his father’s Greene County liquor store. Cabela’s started in 1961, when Dick, Mary and Jim Cabela began a mail order service for outdoor products around their Nebraska kitchen table.
Today, Bass Pro Shops is the top national retailer of outdoor gear and apparel, with more than 100 retail and marine center locations across North America.

Here are some epic long shots to take with the Grim, Grey Ghost.  Enjoy!