eelgrass
Long Time Member
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I was lucky enough to draw the only raffle tag this year at the WTF Expo. (Western Turtle Foundation). There was also one(1) auction tag that a guy from Austin, Texas bought. He used to live in Utah and now frequents this site. I won't embarrass him any further than that.
The tag was good for Redwood National Park in northern CA. It's kinda like the Antelope Island hunt in Utah. All the proceeds from the auction go to manage the turtle population in the park, and fund the park activities. Minus WTF's cut of 95%, of course.
The park is home to the rare Giant Redwood Terripin, the largest turtle in North America. (Sequoia gigantea).
I did this hunt DIY, but did have help from a friend with a crane to help load the turtle on the flat bed after the hunt.
It was a tough hunt, as the turtles are very elusive and shy. They spend most of the day hiding in hollowed out old growth redwood logs. They mate in the Spring with the peak of the rut mid April. This is the only time that the big males are huntable.
I used a blow up female turtle as a decoy and called this brute to within 40 yards. I could hear him for about two hours before he came into range. Talk about a thrill!
The guy with the auction tag from Texas shadowed me the entire hunt but went home empty handed. That's too bad, because when I talked to him at the Expo he sounded like the worlds best turtle hunter. If he buys the tag next year, I'll offer to help him.
Here I am pulling into the check station after the hunt. Word got out and a lot of locals showed up to see this monster. I had a police escort because the turtle is over width for hauling on public roads.
Thanks for looking!
Eel
The tag was good for Redwood National Park in northern CA. It's kinda like the Antelope Island hunt in Utah. All the proceeds from the auction go to manage the turtle population in the park, and fund the park activities. Minus WTF's cut of 95%, of course.
The park is home to the rare Giant Redwood Terripin, the largest turtle in North America. (Sequoia gigantea).
I did this hunt DIY, but did have help from a friend with a crane to help load the turtle on the flat bed after the hunt.
It was a tough hunt, as the turtles are very elusive and shy. They spend most of the day hiding in hollowed out old growth redwood logs. They mate in the Spring with the peak of the rut mid April. This is the only time that the big males are huntable.
I used a blow up female turtle as a decoy and called this brute to within 40 yards. I could hear him for about two hours before he came into range. Talk about a thrill!
The guy with the auction tag from Texas shadowed me the entire hunt but went home empty handed. That's too bad, because when I talked to him at the Expo he sounded like the worlds best turtle hunter. If he buys the tag next year, I'll offer to help him.
Here I am pulling into the check station after the hunt. Word got out and a lot of locals showed up to see this monster. I had a police escort because the turtle is over width for hauling on public roads.
Thanks for looking!
Eel