Syracuse.com - Clay man bags big elk at private hunting preserve in Ogdensburg

[HuntingNY-News]

The 77-year-old retired teacher made the trip in September to Basswood Lodge. He also shot a big fallow deer.

Submitted photo

Phil Stewart, 77, of Clay, shot this impressive elk in September at Basswood Lodge, near Ogdensburg. Basswood offers a private hunting preserve. During the same trip, he shot a fallow deer (pictured below)

He wrote: "The elk should score in the upper 380s."

" Plans for the elk hunt at Basswood Lodge & Hunting Preserve (near Ogdensburg, NY) started at the April 2010 SCI banquet in Oneonta. A friend (Dick Egleston) bid a hunt in PA at a preserve for 2 elk - one bull & 1 cow. I had decided that at 77, I was nearly ready for a preserve hunt.

"In addition this preserve hunt cost about $4000 LESS than a hunt for 1 bull with US Outfitters in New Mexico (a friend has guided for them for several years). So, I sent letters to every preserve I could think of that was within 3 hours driving time from where I live. Several turned me down but 1 (Basswood) sent a letter saying "Yes, they had a bull elk that fitted my description and could provide the hunt at the cost I had indicated". Not only that, but I could pre-pay at a rate of $300 per month until the full amount was paid.

"We planned for a hunt starting on Sept. 12. When I was ready, Nick McNamara (the head guide and main worker) informed me that they didn't have any cow elk but that I could shoot a Fallow Buck instead. I drove to Basswood on Sept. 12 and we hunted on September 13. There were 5 bull elk on the preserve but mine was MUCH bigger than any others. I carried my Omega muzzle loader on Nick's recommendation. After sneaking up on the elk, we watched him for several minutes and, when he turned broadside, shot him.

"Talk about ground shrinkage - this was ground shrinkage in reverse. The closer I got to the elk, the bigger the antlers looked. I had the antlers scored (SCI) but the scorer used the old forms and I haven't had time to get them re-scored. However, I scored them at 386 inches which will make the elk a Gold Medal Estate (preserve) elk and will put him about #5 on the SCI - Top Ten list for muzzle loaders.

"The Fallow Buck was the more difficult hunt as all the Fallow deer had been born on the preserve and knew every hiding place available. But that is another story for another day."

Stewart has been hunting for more than 60 years. Read more about how hunting fills a void (and the freezer) for this retired school teacher.

Submitted photo

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog