Mark Hampton`s two Alaskan goats with FA 44

[markhampton]

Sal, Yes I still hunt with the FA .41 Mag.  Great gun - great cartridge.

[contender]

Mark, as a handgun hunter,, like so many here,, I applaud you for putting in the work AND finding success with a pair of hard to bag animals. I wish I could afford the chance to try such hunts!
But,, until I can,, I'll enjoy the stories of successes like yours!

[seminolewind]

This says a lot about Mark's commitment to handgun hunting. He has a variety of specialty pistols perfectly suited to this kind of hunt, but Mark chose to hunt with a 44 mag revolver, and was terrifically successful! Way to go Mark!

[bigbore442001]

Congratulations on such a fine hunt and I am envious of you. Although I have a few 44 magnum revolvers seeing that gun temps me to sell some stuff and get a fine custom crafted long barreled 44 SA. Being in Massachusetts I cannot get a Freedom Arms( it is like the California law where guns are tested ad infinitum ad nauseum)

Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't Alaska require a guide for non residents if you hunt mountain goat and grizzly bear?

Also. I do recall on another forum asking this question. Anyone of us who has a TC Contender or Encore with a good round or even a long barreled hunting revolver can do what you are doing.

What do you do to physically prepare for a mountain hunt. I live in Massachusetts at an elevation of 600 feet. I have been out West and discovered that at around 7800 to 8000 feet my breathing becomes an issue. Not to be gross but once a day I would expectorate mucus like I had pneumonia.

Also this corona crap has me working from home and I gained 15 lbs along with being out of shape.

So. If you do not mind, what would you do to work out and get ready ? Again thanks because I do believe others on this site would like to know as well.

[markhampton]

bigbore,  You are correct, being a non-resident without close relation as an Alaskan resident, you are required by law to hire a registered guide for sheep, goat, and grizzly/brown bear.  I used Paul Chervenak and he has been guiding on Kodiak Island for many years.

I try to workout 5 days a week.  I hike up and down the hills on my farm, do push-ups, stretch out, ect.  If I didn't, some of these mountain hunts would be impossible -- or at the very least.......miserable!  

[sixshot]

Believe me, Mark is in top shape. On our recent bear hunt this spring he could cover a lot of ground in a hurry. It takes commitment to do what he does. Many can hunt flat ground, it's different when you hunt in the clouds.
Mark, it looks to me like you ambushed both of those Goats with all those trees to hide behind............

Dick

[markhampton]

Hey Dick - great to hear from you!  You've been in our thoughts and prayers.  Yes, I did ambush those goats but if there were any trees nearby - I missed them

[bradshaw]

Aug 30, 2020 19:56:06 GMT -5 jfs said:

My sincere congratulations Mark....

Mark.... congratulations. James, thanks for posting these pictures.
Elgin Gates, despite having taken the #5 world record elephant during an arduous hunt in Uganda----tusks 181 & 176 pounds, respectively----and a long list of other trophies, and Roy Weatherby putting Elgin’s hunting on a pedestal, Elgin told me in no uncertain terms sheep hunting and goat hunting were his favorite challenge. As if to add a little color, while admonishing me not to write about it, Weatherby says Elgin killed two Red Chinese soldiers while sheep hunting----after coming under fire. A thin grin on his face, Roy Weatherby says, “Elgin is the only man I know of to kill Red Chinese soldiers with a .300 Weatherby.”

I asked Elgin why he favored his .300 Weatherby for all-round hunting: “It’s not the most accurate rifle in the world, but it’s accurate enough for reaching out when necessary. And sometimes it’s necessary. I can take it from the lowest to the highest elevation, hot and cold, with good consistency.”

When I asked how sheep hunting came to his exalted esteem, Elgin described trekking three weeks over rock and snow, just to get into the country. He described the native guide and packers bearing loads across icy brooks in sandals with the stamina of a wolverine. That you needed this time in the mountains to tune your lungs.

Here we go, back into the OXYGEN CAPER. Mark, aside from Elgin Gates and James from Jersey, two other hunters of personal acquaintance come to mind, both handgun hunters, both gone to hunt the clouds, Larry Kelly of Mag-na-Port and Alaska bush pilot & IHMSA sharpshooter Tom McGuire. I expect these gentlemen would gaze upon your REVOLVER accomplishment in profound respect.
David Bradshaw

[markhampton]

David, I'm most grateful for the kind remarks.  I can only hope our paths cross someday.  

[rleprechaun]

Well done Mark!! Alcorn Russell

[markhampton]

Thanks Alcorn!  Good to hear from you!  Hope you are well.

[rleprechaun]

Doing well, getting older, 66 now. Still handgun hunting, 23 record book entries so far and counting.

[markhampton]

Good to hear you're still after it.  I turn 65 in Feb.  Most of my hunts were cancelled this year thanks to covid.  Hoping the stars align better next year.  Keep well.