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Follow Grants Pass Daily Courier writer Zach Urness to the most beautiful outdoor destinations in Southern Oregon
and Northern California. This site includes videos, stories and photos, along with everything you need to know about hiking,
camping, rafting and fishing in our magnificent section of the West Coast.
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| Metaphysical ramblings: Zach's blog |
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I'll blog nearly every day on issues related to the outdoors and my other interests. Feel free to comment on anything you see on my site or ask me a question below. |
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May 16, 2012, 3:35 pm
RECORD TURKEY BAGGED IN MERLIN Tim Campbell of Merlin bagged one of the most uniquely impressive Rio Grande turkeys in the United States last week. The bird had a whopping six beards and the second-longest total beard length in Oregon’s history.By Zach Urness of the Daily CourierThe last few months haven't been easy on Tim Campbell.The self-employed landscape contractor injured his arm and knee during the past year, injuries that kept him stuck in a sling and on crutches during a time when money was getting short around the house.A wild turkey hunter for much of his life, Campbell took friends and family into the field but didn't buy a 2012 license himself because, again, money was tight."I knew it was tough on him going out with other guys and not hunting, because he loves it so much," said Campbell's wife, Kari. "So the day before his birthday, I just said: 'Let's do something special. Go buy a license. We'll figure out a way to make it work. I don't care what we have to do to make up for it.' "Neither Tim nor Kari could have guessed what would happen next.After just half an hour in the field, Tim shot and killed one of the most impressive Rio Grande turkeys ever taken in the United States.The bird weighed 21.2 pounds, but more importantly it had a whopping six beards that measured a total of 52 1/2 inches.A male turkey, known as a "tom," grows a cluster of long, hair-like feathers from the center of its chest known as a beard.Among wild turkey hunters, the most sought after measurement on a trophy tom is the length of beard, because it indicates an older, more intelligent and wily bird."In the same way that people try to get a buck with the largest antlers, with turkeys you're looking for the longest and thickest beard," said David Morris of Northwest Big Game, which keeps the record books for trophy animals bagged in the Pacific Northwest. "Getting a bird with six beards is extremely rare."According to Morris, the bird Campbell shot has the second-longest combined beard length in Oregon history. The turkey with the longest beard was taken in Jackson County in 2008 and had a combined length of 58 1/8 inches.Even so, Campbell's bird is so impressive that its overall score should land it on the National Wild Turkey Federation's top-10 list for atypical turkeys (those with multiple beards) taken with a modern firearm.The scoring system takes the bird's weight, spurs and beard length into account.Campbell's bird scored an unofficial 141.2, which once verified will give it the 10th-highest score in the United States and one of only two in the top 10 from outside Texas.Those nationally renowned characteristics are what saved the bird from Campbell's smoker.He's having the bird stuffed and mounted in his home.The most surprising part of the hunt for Campbell was how quickly it happened.He was using a 12-gauge with a Mossberg black composite stock and hunting on a patch of BLM land in the Merlin area.Acting on information about another large bird seen in the area, Campbell went into a blind and started making turkey calls."This bird came out of nowhere; I had never seen it before," Campbell said. "I couldn't see him at first, but then he walked past and I saw all those beards and thought, 'Oh my gosh.'"I kept calling when he went behind a pile of manzanita brush. He poked his head out, and I pulled the trigger."The thrill of getting the bird was something Campbell said he could compare only to winning the football state championship while at North Valley High in 1984."It's a once-in-a-lifetime bird," Campbell said. "The first person I called was my 19-year-old son. Up to that point, he had the biggest turkey. I called him and said, 'Your daddy finally busted you out.' "Campbell said he loves wild turkey hunting because it requires a real cat-and-mouse game."I love the challenge of the hunt," he said. "You have to be able to call the turkey in, and be able to imitate another (turkey)."The last few months haven't been easy on Campbell, but after shooting a record turkey, he believes life is headed back on the upswing."I've been hunting turkeys for a long time," said Campbell, who is starting a business called Mountain Man Forest Adventures, which involves guiding people on backcountry trips into the woods. "And just thinking about that bird, even now, still gives me goose bumps."The whole thing has really put a smile on my face."o o oPast blogsSEDIMENT IN SILVER CREEK STIRS REGULATORY AGENCIES’ CONCERNKERBY PEAK MAKES GREAT HIKE, SHOWS HIGH-ALTITUDE TRAILS ARE OPENING UPFISH LAKE HOME TO THE ELUSIVE TIGER TROUTOREGON’S MOST FAMOUS WOLF PHOTOGRAPHED IN CALIFORNIAFISHING REPORT: SPRING CHINOOK SEASON HITTING HIGH POINT AT GOLD BEACH
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| Comments (Talk back to Zach) |
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Zach 4/17/2012 2:35:15 pm
Hey Dan -- The Applegate is closed now to allow steelhead to spawn. That's the short answer, and there's a ton of river around the state that close March 31 to allow steelhead to spawn. There's quite a few people, myself included, who believe fishing should be open later in the season, especially on the Applegate because the dang river doesn't hit its peak until late March and there's tons of hatchery fish in there now ... then closes. It's a complex issue on the Applegate, because you don't want anglers stepping on spawning wild steelhead redds. Anyway yes, spawning fish is the reason you're not allowed to fish now. [ Report abuse ]
Dan 4/16/2012 2:27:09 pm
Hi Zack as a new resident to GP can you explain to me why fishing is 'closed' on the Applegate from 3/31 to Memorial day weekend? Thanks Dan [ Report abuse ]
Zach 3/28/2012 11:00:42 pm
Hey Talia -- Glad you enjoy the blog, it's certainly a lot of fun to put together. Hope you can make it back soon! [ Report abuse ]
Talia 3/28/2012 2:17:31 pm
I enjoy your blog. I've been living abroad, in a big city for a couple of years now, but I've been missing me some Oregon something awful. Keep writing your blog, it's been great to catch glimpses of Oregon through your writing. [ Report abuse ]
Zach 3/11/2012 11:44:57 pm
Concerned reader -- Fair enough. This blog itself (titled: Going to school at Nugget-Powerhouse) wasn't for publication in the Daily Courier - where I am a lot more detailed in warning readers about the dangers of prospective rapids, mountains, etc. However, your point is well taken. One thing that I didn't include in this blog, and perhaps should have, was that I've been lucky enough to go boating with guys that are much better than me, and who on a run like Nugget-Powerhouse can show me the lines, the easiest route, and could get me out of trouble if it arose. Also, I've done a number of easier runs in the very early process and my main point was that Nugget-Powerhouse was a great place to learn to make the jump from a novice Class II boater, to someone that can feel comfortable running large water. So thanks for your concern, it's something I'll remember when writing about these topics in the future. [ Report abuse ]
Concerned reader 3/11/2012 7:09:40 pm
Dear Zach, I enjoy your story about your love of kayaking, and for the great outdoors. Although, since you do publish to the general public I would warn you against calling this run, and class III and IV rapids in general, a "nice place to learn". As a professional guide and certified outdoor instructor I urge your readers to seek professional training and/or the assistance of a guide if pursuing outdoor ventures beyond their skill level. Thank you for allowing comments and best of luck in your future outdoor pursuits. [ Report abuse ]
Zach 3/8/2012 7:00:50 pm
Alex -- Well, mostly I bribed a lot of people. You'd be surprised what a few grand can buy. Nah, kidding. Mostly I worked really hard at writing through high school, college and with my first few jobs at tiny newspapers. Plus I basically gave up any semblance of a social life - there's really no difference between life and work -- though it's a pretty good life. [ Report abuse ]
Alex 3/8/2012 5:18:14 pm
How do you get a job like this? seems like a pretty sweet deal [ Report abuse ]
Zach 2/20/2012 5:08:35 pm
At any rate, whether he was talking about the Green-Colorado specifically or running wild rives in general, Buzz was an amazing guy. And "The Doing of The Thing" was a great book. [ Report abuse ]
Zach 2/19/2012 2:26:12 pm
Kurt -- Well, Will was talking about Lava Falls, which is on the Colorado, and I was talking about the running of rivers in general being the "thing," which would include the Colorado and Green, among all the others. He wrote the passage I quoted after his first trip -- he did it from the uppermost point of navigation on the second trip. [ Report abuse ]
Kurt 2/18/2012 11:31:24 am
"The Doing of the Thing".. you guys missed the point entirely. The "Thing" was running the Colorado from the uppermost point of navigation all the way to Boulder Dam. [ Report abuse ]
Zach 2/17/2012 7:37:27 am
Thanks Will, it was a strong read. I think you're correct about the "thing" but I also got the sense that the authors used it in the sense of, all of rafting was the thing, all of the reward was being on the river. [ Report abuse ]
Will Volpert 2/15/2012 7:46:45 pm
Zach - Great story about Buzz Holmstrom. I've read the book and think that the "Thing" was running Lava Falls. Hence, the "Doing of the Thing". [ Report abuse ]
Zach 2/12/2012 4:14:23 pm
Marty -- Wow, that's a pretty awesome trip idea. I am almost positive that there will be tons of snow up there, and that you'd have to just drive up the road as far as you could and then hike to the trailhead. There should be even more snow next week, according to the weather, since this coming storm is suppose to dump snow at 2,000 feet. The best winter entry trailhead to the Siskiyou Wilderness is probably South Kelsey, which is at a lower elevation. Your best bet, though, since I haven't been up there since late summer, is to call the Six Rivers Ranger District Office in Gasquet at (707) 457-3131. Before I hike in there during spring or into winter, I always call them to get an idea of what the roads and trails are going to look like. There's always way way more snow than I expect. Hope that helps! [ Report abuse ]
Marty 2/12/2012 11:14:50 am
Hey Zach, I was hoping that you could give me some info about devils punchbowl. Some friends and I were thinking about hiking it next week but are unsure if it will be snowed over. What do you think? If you don't think that would be a good idea what trail would you recommend for an overnight hike to try out some new equipment. Thanks in advance. [ Report abuse ]
Zach 2/8/2012 8:55:33 pm
Thanks Murph, it's a fun part of the job! [ Report abuse ]
Zach 2/8/2012 8:54:55 pm
Thanks Kurt. It was a fun story because normally with those types of stories, you're writing about something tragic that happened to someone in the wilderness that wasn't prepared. But these guys clearly were, and so even though they got into a spot of trouble, they were able to make it out without any real issues. Heck, they even made it out by the date they intended. [ Report abuse ]
Kurt 2/8/2012 5:26:38 pm
Zach.. I really enjoyed your recent piece about the Kalmiopsis backpackers. It's refreshing to read about someone "in the woods" who knows what they are doing for a change. [ Report abuse ]
Murph 2/8/2012 2:46:13 pm
You take some awesome pictures, Zach! [ Report abuse ]
Zach 1/12/2012 9:43:39 am
Jim, I think I just posted the link on your Facebook page ... but if not, just go into the "stories" area and copy and paste the link. Or just shooting me an email at: zurness@thedailycourier.com. [ Report abuse ]