Mule Deer Hunt – Utah – 2011
Jan 27
A friend of mine married a rancher from Grouse Creek, Utah. I had heard about Chukar hunting in that part of the state. Grouse Creek is in the exreme northwestern part of Utah. Being that isolated, there are some pretty good hunting opportunities including Elk, Mule Deer, Cougar and Chukars. My friend invited me to stay at their ranch, which they run as a guest ranch for family reunions and company retreats (Box C Ranch). We traveled to the Box C this weekend and found the Chukars, but getting to them and shooting them were a whole different story. I did manage to bag a banded Chukar, which made the whole trip worth it.
Wayne Oberg
True Life Story
This has to be the weirdest thing that ever floated by me on the Snake River. They were stuck together in death lock, each wanting to kill the other first. My guess is that the falcon snatched up the tasty snake, and it somehow got its tail around the falcon’s neck, strangling it in midair causing both of them to crash into the river. They are both alive and well, considering. I think a few more minutes and the snake would have won. The tail was actually tied in a knot around the neck, and getting tighter by the second. I got the snake untied, and well, as you can see, they both made it. This is another one of those stories you tell, and are always acknowledged with “yeah, right!” Well, here’s the proof. Neither of them bit me or scratched me; the snake didn’t want to stop biting the falcon’s leg, and only let go after I had untied everything else. I got the water out of the falcon’s lungs with birdie inversion technique, and stayed with him until he was almost dried off in the sun, and flying little.
Hunting Friends,
While many of you in Utah were out on the mountain for the opening of the deer hunt today I was off chasing rams on the desert. CONGRATULATIONS to Sam Dallon who overcame a number of obstacles to take this beautiful ram this morning. Sam made an absolutely great 500 yard shot after completing a really tough stalk. During his hunt Sam saw violent weather, lost 14 lbs after we hiked what he swears was 100 miles, climbed cliffs, and watched me reach under my pack to pick it up only to find a rattlesnake curled underneath. Sam was tougher than rawhide and had an incredible time. He can hunt with us anytime. Today was also very special for Sam because his dad Ron was able to be there with him to see him take this “Once In A LIfetime” trophy. Great job Sam. Thanks for placing your trust in us.
Good luck everyone. I look forward to seeing some of your mule deer pics from the opener.
Randy Johnson
Hunting Friends,
Congratulations to Bill Burbidge and HIGH DESERT WILD SHEEP GUIDE Bret Caldwell on taking this wide flaring Utah desert ram that looks more like a Dall! Bill is 69 years old and waited a long time to draw this tag. What was very special about this hunt is that both of Bill’s sons could be there with him when he took his ram. Great job guys. Thanks for allowing us to share in this Once InĀ A Lifetime Experience with you. Good luck everyone. It’s sure fun to see your pictures and hear your stories.
Randy Johnson





































