DAN SIMMONS Sportsman's Quest MORE COLUMNS Advertisement

Occasionally, the outfitter will, with the permission of the client, allow the guide to also fill a tag at the end of a hunt or if it doesn't interfere with the primary objective of ensuring success for the client.

This was the case on one hunt for Stone sheep and moose for my fellow guide and partner while hunting with clients from Sweden. But, first let me go back a bit and describe the situation.

As we walk our life's path, our trail sometimes crosses that of unique individuals. We may even walk with them for awhile and our lives are changed.

My friend, Mike Gervais, is one of those individuals. He was a fellow hunting guide and we shared many camps while searching for the magnificent sheep, bear, moose and caribou on the borderland of British Columbia and the Yukon, Canada.

He hailed from the French region of Canada and at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds of solid muscle, was a magnificent specimen of humanity. Hence, his nickname "Big Mike."

He had quit school early in life to join his family on the trap line and learned the lessons of the woods well. He was as trustworthy as they come, loyal, would carry his load and yours if needed; in short he made an excellent partner and friend. We hunted together for several years.

His passion for hunting was bears and caribou and his skill as a marksman with his 375 H&H magnum was honed on three to five hundred yard steel silhouette targets. I personally witnessed him drop a bull moose at 500 paces with his trusty "cannon."

He was also dependable and a man of courage at close quarters. There was no one I would rather have at my side when following-up on a foul-shot grizzly or black bear in thick brush.

I witnessed this both in camp and while I was a bear control officer for the fish and wildlife service. In short, he was a man's man, experienced hunter and sportsman.

This takes us back to guiding our Swedish hunters. We were successful on finding huge moose for each and were on our way to the high country.

While crossing a mountain pass we encountered a group of five caribou and, with the hunters' permission and encouragement, since they didn't have caribou tags, decided Mike should try for a particularly large bull which offered a fairly easy 200-yard shot.

This would be Mike's first big trophy caribou and he was naturally eager. He had shot several smaller caribou over the years as meat animals, as well as moose, sheep, goat, deer and bear. This would be easy and fulfill a dream he had nursed for years.

It was simple; drop it, pack it and have camp meat for the rest of the hunt. Simple, or so we thought, and perhaps it was. Mike got into a comfortable sitting position, took aim and carefully pulled the trigger. I was directly behind him holding the horses and saw the bullet hit low, on the ground between the animal's feet; it danced a bit as caribou do, but didn't seem excited. "Low by about a foot," I whispered. Another shell chambered, trigger pulled and with the report another round in the same place.

"Same place, aim higher," I again whispered. A third shot and our combined amazement witnessed a third, in the same place. Clearly the scope was off and by this time the caribou had enough of this and headed off in that rotary gait for which they are famous.

A loose scope, could happen to any of us, but would have to be corrected. We found a nice cliff face before heading into higher country to sight Mike's rifle, found the scope tight and on target at one, two, and even three hundred yards. It didn't make sense; there could only be one answer, "buck fever."

Even experienced hunters can get it when they become emotionally involved through desire to get that "really big, once in a lifetime, outstanding trophy." This was what had undoubtedly happened to Mike and it can happen to any of us, but it ain't much fun.

Later in the hunt the opportunity came again and this time there were no mistakes: A clean drop at 300 yards, followed by an exonerated guide and backslaps all around. We ate well for the rest of the hunt, both hunters got their sheep and went home pleased.

And me? I got to tell the story and have told it many times around many campfires.

Mike turned out to be a legend in the North Country, I've lost track of him, and the story he tells no doubt may have changed a bit. I look forward to our paths crossing again as often happens in the vast, but often small, far north.

What's new

Often in hunting situations, the weather can change dramatically and rapidly. I've found that one of the best ways to protect your valuable scope from the weather, and also from rocks, branches and cranky horses is the Scope Coat protective cover. It also draws moisture and condensation away by its wicking action. It slips over your entire scope easily and is removed just as quickly as it goes on while offering total protection. For more information, call 1-800-726-7328 or go to the Web site, www.scopecoat.com.

Recipe of week

Guides often have to act as wranglers and camp cooks while in spike camp. Since I wasn't very proficient at shoeing horses, I usually ended up at the campfire. This is popular around many campfires, as is the bourbon. Caribou steaks are not as tender as moose or elk so the marinade brings out the flavor and aids the tenderizing process.

Spike Camp Caribou

For the marinade combine: 3/4 cup bourbon; 3/4 cup stock; 3/4 cup vegetable oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped; 1 Tbsp green peppercorns, crushed; 1 tsp salt;

For the rub combine: 1 1/2 Tbsp black pepper; 1 1/2 Tbsp Lowry's seasoned salt; 1 1/2 tsp granulated garlic; 1 1/2 tsp paprika.

Meat: two lbs caribou steaks 1 1/2 inches thick.

Combine all marinade ingredients in a large zip-lock bag, add caribou steaks, marinade for eight hours minimum. Combine rub ingredients.

Prepare grill for barbecuing, approximately 180 to 200 degrees. Drain the caribou steaks, pat dry and apply the dry rub to both sides of the steaks. Grill the steaks to desired doneness. Serve with potatoes wrapped in foil and baked in the coals.

Events

* Nevada's 17th Wildlife and Habitat Improvement banquet will be held Saturday in the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino banquet facilities. There will be door prizes, auctions, raffles and a special auction for Nevada Department of Wildlife Heritage Mule Deer Tag. For more information and advanced ticket orders call 702-432-6033 or 384-5006.

* Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn banquet is July 12, 2008 at South Point Hotel & Casino. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. The auction will start at 7:30 p.m. For more information visit www.desertbighorn.com or call Paul Harris at 1-702-596-6849

* ICAST, International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, will hold Follow your Instincts, the world's largest sport fishing trade show, July 16 - 18, at the Las Vegas Convention center.