2019 Elk Hunt
Hi All,
I hope the New Year is treating you well. I wanted to give all of you a recap of the 2019 Dec. Elk Hunt here at Canada
Creek Ranch.
Thursday prior to opening day. We gathered to brush the trails and open cables. The team at the range did an excellent
job getting the hunters ready. Each hunter was run through a series of shots trying to establish a pattern and then a
100-yard gong shot. Thank you for your hard work guys we appreciate your efforts getting the hunters ready.
On Friday all the hunters gathered in Johannesburg for their orientation to the hunt given by the DNR. Then our very
own guides and scouts meeting that evening at the Ranch House. We had over 75 CCR Members that volunteered to
help with the hunt this year. Wow, what a great turnout. You could feel the anticipation building as the meeting ended.
After a restless night behind all of us we gathered again in the Ranch House with all the hunters and their companions
for a great breakfast and some quick field notes before going into the woods.
The hunt started with animals being sighted everywhere on the ranch and within the first hour reports were coming
in about successful hunters wanting an animal pick up from the ranch staff. We had a great lunch in the woods at our
riffle range. everyone out there had a story to tell. By the end of the day we had an amazing 4 elk tagged, filling the Elk
Pole at the Ranch House. The opening day tally was 3 Cows and 1 Bulls (4x5).
Day 2 – started much like opening day with breakfast and animals everywhere on the club. Lunchtime was a buzz
once again this day. We were able to tag 5 Cows and 1 Bull (4x4).
Day 3 we were back at it again and with the weather getting colder and a fresh dusting of snow. Tracks were easy to
see. In the morning we took a beautiful 6x6 and a 4x4 and 2 Cows, then nothing in the evening. No animals were taken
inside our wire on this day.
Day 4 The cold weather really set in. We worked hard to get 3 Cows and 1 Bull (5x5)
Day 5 With a fresh blanket of about 3 inches of snow we took to the wood to fill our last two tags. By noon we were
finished and having lunch, we tagged 1 cow and 1 (6x6) bull.
Over the course of the week we had 3 hunters leave for personal reasons and we picked up 2 hunters. With the chance
of only one returning at the end of the week. We took day 6 off to relax.
Over the five days of hunting we tagged animals on the club and off the club. Oxbow Creek Road, Clay Pit Road.
Shingle Mill Road, Black River Ranch and in Atlanta at a private farm.
Thank you, to each one of you, for your hard work and commitment to our Elk Herd Management. Without you we
would not be nearly as successful as we are.
Don’t forget to fill out your nominations for the spring banquet. If you’re not sure who to vote for ask a friend for
details.
It was a great week and as always great seeing all of you.
Chuck C3 Whitmire,
Elk Hunt Coordinator
Canada Creek Ranch
Guide Bob Delecki helped Bradon Gorby take this nice 5x5.
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Chaz Arnold with Guides Ralph
Mayer & Dennis Swartz took this 4x5.