Description:
Since 1979, the Vail and Vickers Co., in conjunction with Multiple Use Managers, has managed the hunting of Roosevelt Elk and Rocky Mountain mule deer on Santa Rosa Island. At over 82 square miles, Santa Rosa is the second largest of the 8 Channel Islands off the coast of southern California: slightly smaller than Santa Cruz and larger than Catalina. In 1929-30, about 30 elk and 30 mule deer were brought to Santa Rosa by the Vail family. The elk came from the Olympic Peninsula of Washington and the mule deer were brought in from the famed Kaibib Plateau of Arizona. With good feed and protection due to hundreds of large hills and valleys and no predators, the elk and deer have flourished for the benefit of hunters and hikers alike. Each year, the elk and deer populations must be kept in check, and those fortunate to book this hunt are able to return home with antlers, capes, meat, and memories. For this video, the on-camera hunters are Mike Pasaglia Sr. (trophy elk and trophy mule deer), Mike Pasaglia Jr. (trophy mule deer), Angeliquea Berg (management elk), William 'Smitty' Smith (management elk and management mule deer), and Ken Wilson (management elk).