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Sunday, August 20, 2017

Recovering Game



                If there is one thing that aggravates me more than anything from my fellow outdoorsmen, it is when they don't take the time to look for a downed animal. I have done my fair share of big game hunting and when you do that long enough you will eventually wound an animal with a nonlethal shot. There is no worse feeling to me, not only as a hunter but as a human.

                Over my hunting career I have not recovered three deer that I have shot. Just to show the ratio I believe I have shot and recovered close to 20 big game animals. Two of the three deer that I shot were because of a bad shot on my part. The third animal was a perfect shot but for some reason my arrow did not penetrate far enough into the body to make it lethal. Just bad luck. That buck lived until later in the rifle season when the landowner’s son shot him. The landowner contacted me because he knew I was thinking about that deer. I don't know how many times I replayed that shot and wondered what went wrong. It was only 10 yards away, perfectly broadside and when I pulled the trigger on my crossbow I remember the arrow going into the death pocket and he kicked like a mule. But as he ran away I could see three quarters of my arrow sticking out. We searched for that buck for a couple hours until we realized he was going to live.


                The two other deer that I did not recover, wasn't because we did not try. I remember the one buck we looked for over two days and actually used a dog. But there was no luck. A couple buddies of mine found that buck the spring after I shot it. We assumed it went across the river. But evidently it backtracked and died less than 100 yards from where I shot it. I am still sick over that one. We searched for the other buck over course of two days also. We found where he laid down numerous places but could never catch up to him. These two deer would be the biggest that I had ever taken if I had found them. Not that that matters. Maybe there was some buck fever on my part.


                It really irks me when people do not take the time to find something they shot. A lot of the time you hear, "I must've missed him." If you don't go and check the kill spot you'll never know for sure whether you missed or not. You should go to where the animal was shot and see if there's any blood, hair or feathers. And remember sometimes the animal won't start bleeding for a while. So track the direction it went and keep searching until all leads are exhausted. Also, find out which one of your buddies are good at tracking and set them loose. Some people think they are good at tracking and some people are good. It doesn't take long to figure out who is which.


                Some people will take more time looking for a big game animal than a small game animal. I wonder why this is. We should give the same amount of respect to all animals we plan to bag.
                Every season you will hear hunters say we shot four pheasants but could only find two. I always ask, "Did you have a dog?" Most of the time they will say no we didn't. But even having a dog doesn't mean you're going to find the bird but it sure as heck gives you a better chance. If you don't have a dog, try to not hunt the heavy stuff. You know cattails, thick brush and the like.

https://gf.nd.gov/regulations/deer#waste

                I know I am preaching to the choir for most of you, but it is sad to say some people need to hear this. Sometimes things happen and no matter what you do you won't be able to find the game you shot. But for the respect of the animal and just being a good sportsman, please take the time to search and recover every animal you pursue.

Thanks for reading, Clint


Saturday, August 5, 2017

Forgotten High School Mascots of North Dakota



Here is a list of mascots that are no longer in existence. A part of the past that will never be again. I found most of extinct mascots searching the internets and we all know how reliable that is. It is hard to verify if all of these are correct or not. If you have any corrections, additions or comments please let me know. Thanks.

Adams Bruins
Adams Rockets
Adams/Lankin Bruins

AEEMO Spartans
Alamo Green Wave
Alexander Comets
Alice Aces 

Almont Eagles
Alsen Broncos
Amenia Trojans 

Anamoose Royals
Aneta Wildcats 
Antelope Atoms

Antler Orioles
Argusville Eagles
Arnegard Spuds

Arthur Knights
Ashley Aces
Ayr Rifles 

Baker Bombers
Balfour Hornets
Balta Bobcats
Bantry Bombers

Barton Meteors
Bathgate Atoms
Belfield Bantams
Berlin Hornets 

Binford Eagles
Bisbee Chiefs
Bisbee/Egeland Panthers

Border Aces
Border Central Spartans
Bowbells Eskimos

Bowden Bears
Bowden Beavers?
Braddock Bobcats
Brinsmade Bombers

Brocket Falcons
Buchanon Comets
Bucyrus Bobcats

Buffalo Bison 
Burke Central Panthers
Butte Spartans

Cando Odnacs
Cando Cubs
Cass Valley North Eagles
Cardinal Meunch Seminary Cardinals 

Carpio Cardinals 
Carson Chieftans
Cathay Trojans

Chaffee Mustangs 
Churchs Ferry Raiders 
Christine Eagles

Clifford Galesburg Twins
Cogswell Cogs
Coleharbor Redbirds

Columbus Cougars
Cooperstown Lynx 
Coteau Elks 

Courtenay Cougars
Crary Cardinals 
Crete Critters

Crystal Bulldogs
Dakota Warriors 
Dahlen Dragons
Davenport Dragons 

DeLamere Dragons
Des Lacs Raiders
Deering Rockets 
Devils Lake Satans

Dickey Central Cougars
Dickey Dragons
Dickinson State Savages

Dodge Bobcats
Donnybrook Hi Liners 
Doyon Pirates
Drake Trojans 

Drayton Bombers
Driscoll Dragons
Dunn Center Trojans
Edgeley Rangers

Edmore Vikings
Egeland Echos
Egeland Eagles
Elbow Woods Warriors

Elgin Fighting Dutchmen
Elgin-New Leipzig Panthers 
Elliott Falcons
Emmons Central Knights

Englevale Frogs
Epping Eagles
Erie Chipmunks

Erie Braves 
Esmond Eagles 
Fairdale Bulldogs

Fairmount Pheasants
Fessenden Orioles
Fingal Broncos 

Finley-Sharon Raiders
Flaxton Raiders
Forbes Hi-Liners
Fordville-Lankin Flyers
Forman Phantoms

Fortuna Falcons
Fort Yates Knights
Fullerton Blue Devils
Gackle Orioles 
Gardena Bandits

Gardner Gophers 
Geneseo Tigers
Gladstone Hornets 
Glen Ullin Rattlers

Glenfield-Sutton Demons
Glenfield-Sutton-Mchenry Bruins
Golden Valley-Dodge-Halliday Panthers

Golva Tigers
Goodrich Panthers 
Grace City Pheasants

Grand Forks Central Redskins
Grandin Eagles
Granville Eagles

Grenora Gophers
Gwinner Greenwaves
Hampden Honkers
Hamilton Tigers

Halliday Wolverines
Hankinson St. Francis Frankies 
Hannaford Orioles
Hannah Legionaries

Harlow Hiliners
Hatton Flyers
Harvey Hornets
Havana Arrows

Hazelton Tigers
Hebron Brickmakers
Hesper Hotshots

Hettinger Shooting Stars
Hettinger Black Devils
Hoople Spuds
Hope Hustlers

Hunter Hornets
Hurdsfield Stags
Jud Trojans

Karlsruhe Tigers
Kathryn Bobcats 
Kensal Spartans

Knox Knights
Kramer Bulldogs
Kulm Gophers

Landa Vikings
Landsford Cubs 
Luverne Lakers
Lankin Lions

Lansford Cubs
Leeds Lions
Lefor Leopards

Lehr Leopards
Leonard Panthers 
Lidgerwood Cardinals 

Lignite Owls
Litchville Trojans
Litchville-Kathryn Trocats

Lucca Blue Jays
Maddock Bobcats 
Makoti Cardinals

Mapleton Falcons 
Marion Eagles
Marion-Montpeiler M&M's

Marmarth Longhorns
Max Cossacks
Maxbass Mustangs
Mayville Lions

Maza Mallards
McClusky Dragons
McGregor Vikings
McHenry Blazers
McVille Black Hawks

Mercer Bison
Michigan Bulldogs
Midway Monarchs
Milton Meteors
Minnewaukan Midgets

Minto Rockets
Moffit Wildcats
Mohall Yellowjackets
Monango Bison

Montpelier Martins 
Mott Cardinals 
Mott St. Vincent’s Saints

Munich Magicians
Munich/Starkweather Magic Storm
Mylo Midgets
Nekoma Trojans 
Neche Indians

Nelson County North Panthers
New England St. Mary's Saints
New Liepzig Tigers
Newburg Eagles
Niagara Bulldogs

Nome Wildcats 
North Border Bandits
North Central of Rogers Corvairs
North Shore Panthers (Makoti/Ryder) 

Northwood Trojans
Nortonville Wildcats
Oberon Bulldogs 
Oriska Flickers

Osnabrock Orioles 
Page Panthers
Pekin Panthers
Pembina Wildcats

Petersburg Vikings
Pettibone Warriors
Pillsbury Knights 
Pingree Buchanan Raiders

Pingree Wildcats
Pisek Royals
Plaza Lions

Portland Pirates
Raleigh St. Gertrudes 
Reeder Rockets

Regan Comets
Regent Rangers
Rhame Pirates

Richardton Rebels
Riverdale Knights
Robinson Hornets

Rock Lake Aces
Rutland Roosters
Ryder Vikings

Sanborn Panthers
Sanish Panthers
Scranton Minors
Sheldon Shadows 

Sherwood Wildcats
Sheyenne Phantoms
Souris Blue Jays

South Heart Eagles
St. Thomas Tommies
Stanton Sioux 

Starkweather Stormkings/Stormqueens
Stirum Pirates
Streeter Bobcats 

Sutton Wolverines
Sykeston Wildcats
Tappen Comets

Taylor Redbirds
TC Wildcats
Tolley Tigers 
Tolna Trojans

Tower City Clams 
Towner Cardinals
Tuttle Trojans

Unity Spartans
Upham Orioles 
Valley Raiders
Verona Cardinals 

Van Hook Broncos
Wahpeton Wops
Walcott Wolves

Wales Blue Jays
Werner Warriors
Westhope Sioux
White Earth Wildcats

Wildrose-Alamos Roses
Willow City Red Wings
Wimbledon Courtenay Warriors

Wimbledon Wildcats 
Wing Royals
Wishek Badgers

Woodworth Mallards
Wyndmere Warriors 
York Bluebirds

Zap Cougars
Zeeland Vikings
 
Here is a list of mascots that are no longer in existence. A part of the past that will never be again. I found most of extinct mascots searching the internets and we all know how reliable that is. It is hard to verify if all of these are correct or not. If you have any corrections, additions or comments please let me know. Thanks.

Thanks for reading, Clint.