Jack O'Conner
New member
Grandad was born in near Prince Rupert, British Columbia in 1886. He headed south to Kettle Falls, Washington as young man in his early 20's and started a saw mill. But the crash of 1929 left him with a stack of un-paid invoices. The mill was closed.
Grandad hunted elk and mule deer to feed his family. The cattle he raised in Wyoming were for selling, not for eating. Grandad shot many elk with his Winchester 94 rifle with long octagon barrel and flip up tang sight. This was long before outfitting for out-of-state clients had become established. The Bighorns were under hunted and fairly large elk herds thrived.
Grandad knew many interesting people. He was acquainted with Civil War veterans and market hunters. The area now known as the Nat'l Elk Refuge near Jackson Hole was once a prime area for shooting elk for the market. Before you get angry, understand that market hunting was legal until about 1905 or so. These guys were not outlaws. My Grandad was never a market hunter (too young)but he knew many who had been. Grandad told me the 30-30 Winchester was a favorite rifle of the market hunters. I have no way of verifying this information.
My Dad was born in 1922. His health is waning but he still likes to talk about the old days of elk hunting. Dad did most of his big game hunting with 300 Savage rifles. He never understood the practise of taking long shots at game; his basic philosophy was to get closer before shooting. Dad does not understand bean field rifles and can't comprehend this tactic.
My Uncle and his sons have taken over Grandad's cattle business. Dad sold out his shares in the early 1970's. Unfortunately, my cousins lease their lands to private hunting clubs and have excluded me from the very country I know so well. A business decision that I try not to take it personally.
So now I hunt elk in the Bearlodge Mts. of Crook County. Good public access for someone willing to study maps and property lines at the Courthouse. Times have changed, maybe for better. I'm not sure. But any rate, I'm currently a non-resident of Wyoming and pay the same - play the same license games as most of you guys.
Good hunting to you all.
Jack
Grandad hunted elk and mule deer to feed his family. The cattle he raised in Wyoming were for selling, not for eating. Grandad shot many elk with his Winchester 94 rifle with long octagon barrel and flip up tang sight. This was long before outfitting for out-of-state clients had become established. The Bighorns were under hunted and fairly large elk herds thrived.
Grandad knew many interesting people. He was acquainted with Civil War veterans and market hunters. The area now known as the Nat'l Elk Refuge near Jackson Hole was once a prime area for shooting elk for the market. Before you get angry, understand that market hunting was legal until about 1905 or so. These guys were not outlaws. My Grandad was never a market hunter (too young)but he knew many who had been. Grandad told me the 30-30 Winchester was a favorite rifle of the market hunters. I have no way of verifying this information.
My Dad was born in 1922. His health is waning but he still likes to talk about the old days of elk hunting. Dad did most of his big game hunting with 300 Savage rifles. He never understood the practise of taking long shots at game; his basic philosophy was to get closer before shooting. Dad does not understand bean field rifles and can't comprehend this tactic.
My Uncle and his sons have taken over Grandad's cattle business. Dad sold out his shares in the early 1970's. Unfortunately, my cousins lease their lands to private hunting clubs and have excluded me from the very country I know so well. A business decision that I try not to take it personally.
So now I hunt elk in the Bearlodge Mts. of Crook County. Good public access for someone willing to study maps and property lines at the Courthouse. Times have changed, maybe for better. I'm not sure. But any rate, I'm currently a non-resident of Wyoming and pay the same - play the same license games as most of you guys.
Good hunting to you all.
Jack
