Ice Age Buck Vs Rudy

[Lirim Collard]

PaulSchadegg was home for only a few minutes when he noticed his neighbor from the south, Paul Billberg, driving up his roadway. As the Billberg vehicle slowed, Schadegg knew he was about to receive company. It was the late summer of 1964, and neighbors visiting neighbors was a typical weekend activity. Schadegg welcomed the visit. He had arrived home moments earlier, having visited another nearby neighbor living about a mile down the only a few minutes when he road, Alfred Gavelin.

He noticed how fast word of the buck spread and how soon people began showing up to see it. That is why he bought the antlers that summer in 1964. Being a member of the community, Schadegg thought the antlers would be a great reminder of the camaraderie and friendships that make the small community a welcoming home.

Four Gavelin brothers were in the hunting party that day in November of 1963, along with another two locals; the hunting party consisted of six men. Old photos show the party members dressed in traditional red hunting coats, and several wore wool pants. Those photos also show us bluebird skies and men with their hunting coats open, giving the assumption of a warm day. Another thing we learn from the photos, which also lends some information about the hunt, is that there was no snow on the ground. Without snow, tracking a buck would be nearly impossible inside the willow-choked bogs where the old deer are known to hide. So, it is assumed that Rudy killed the big buck during a deer drive.

Deer drives included putting a couple of posters along known deer escape routes and sending drivers through a section of cover to flush any deer to the posted shooters. The Gavelin brothers may have known the land well enough to know how to take advantage of these escape routes. They must have known something, because Rudy Gavelin had a deer hunting day like no other!

It seemed as if everyone in the area knew of and was talking about the big buck. The Gavelin brothers ensured that anyone who wanted to see the deer would get the opportunity. As a result, the buck was the subject of conversation for several years in every deer camp within five counties. The deer was still getting recognition into the 1970s, with its photo appearing in a publication titled Happy Hunting Grounds, by G. Arnold Grefthen.

In the meantime, Paul Billberg was still trying to get the antlers from Schadegg, but with no success. Nevertheless, Schadegg held firm that the antlers would never be for sale. To prove his point, Schadegg tells of a day in the early 1980s. While working in his office in Minneapolis, a gentleman walked in and laid ten $100 bills on his desk. True to his word, Schadegg politely declined the more than generous offer.

In March of 2022, Rusty and Paul traveled to the Minnesota Deer & Turkey Expo held in Shakopee, Minnesota. There, respected measurer Shawn Grabow had the honor of being the first person in 58 years to pull a tape over the Rudy Gavelin antlers. His final tally shows 17 measurable points, totaling 241 3/8 gross inches with a record book entry net score of 233 5/8 inches. All that antler gets carried on a 5x6 typical frame gross scoring 191 3/8 and net scoring 183 5/8. The Gavelin buck ranks as the number one non-typical from Roseau County, and the number 14 non-typical in Minnesota.

Small town America, where everybody knows everybody; Wannaska, Minnesota, fits that label. The tiny community is nearly a Rockwell setting. The south fork of the Roseau River makes a lazy bend through the middle of town. The ice-skating rink is open seven days a week in the winter. It is a place where kids grow up to be deer hunters.

Wannaska is one of the dwindling number of communities that still celebrates deer season. So, if you are ever in town, swing into the Riverfront Station. The coffee is always hot, and if you mention you came to see the Rudy Gavelin buck, you will be treated like family and welcomed into the community. However, first, be ready to talk deer hunting; it happens when you are in a community that celebrates whitetails.

One of bowhunting's most important accessories is the arrow rest, a key component to achieving deadly accurate arrow flight when Mr. Big is only 25-yards away and turned broadside for just a moment. And as Pure Archery Group's Todd Snader tells North American Whitetail magazine editor and television show host Haynes Shelton, the three models of Ripcord Arrow Rests' rejuvenated lineup for 2024 deliver amazingly accurate shots downrange, whether that's into the 10-ring of a summertime 3-D target or the boiler room of a mature buck moving through the woods in November.

Dale Evans is at the Browning Trail Camera booth during the ATA show to look at the new offerings for 2024. If you hunt in a state that doesn't allow cellular trail cameras, then these new SD card exclusive cameras from Browning are your best bet. Offering new lens that have been perfectly tuned for day and night photos, these are some of the best cameras we've ever seen.

The Avenge-X offers a level of modularity never experienced with PCP air rifles, making it the perfect all-purpose pellet rifle for hunters and shooters. Renowned outdoor writer Brad Fitzpatrick gives an in-depth review.

Digital Editor, Dale Evans walks you through the features of the new for 2023 Bowtech CP30. With a short axle-to-axle, the CP30 is perfect for the tree stand or ground blind. Available in many different color options, a wide array of draw lengths and weights, and boasting an IBO speed of 331 FPS; this bow can do it all. It truly gives you extreme maneuverability with maximum stability no matter what comes your way.

Editor in Chief, Haynes Shelton breaks down Browning's OVIX camouflage. After years of testing, the North American Whitetail team depends on OVIX in the field. With its highly effective and versatile detail throughout, the intentionally placed browns, grays, and greens are guaranteed to break up any outline no matter the distance. Using this pattern from the southeast to the far north, it's shown time and time again this revolutionary camouflage's effectiveness.

As a whitetail hunter and landowner dedicated to pursuing great bucks each season, North American Whitetail's Blake Garlock depends on a lot of motorized gear from September to late January. Whether it's a side-by-side UTV, a chain saw, a tractor, or a powered-up limb saw, Garlock relies on Star brite's Quick Fix Engine Rescue to keep his engines running smoothly for months on end. From planting food plots to trimming up shooting lanes to driving to and from a stand, Garlock depends on Star brite's Quick Fix blend of polyetheramine (P.E.A.) and proprietary Star Tron ENZYME technology to keep fuel systems clean, moisture at bay, deposits removed, and top-end fuel efficiency leading to fast engine start-up and all-season success.

Rudolph C. (Rudy) Ashbacher passed away February 19, 2017 after a long illness, spending his last days resting peacefully at Mercy Hospice. He was born April 9, 1933 in Alburnett, Iowa, the son of Carl and Clara Louise (Simmen) Ashbacher. Rudy grew up on the family farm at Linn Junction, where he worked hard and developed his passion for hunting and fishing. He started his schooling at the one-room Lind School and graduated from Toddville High School.

Rudy married Paula Enos in 1953 and served in the Army for two years. After graduation he took a job at Link Belt Speeder, working there for 33 years until the plant closed in 1985. After that he worked at several jobs and managed a trailer park/ rental cabin complex in Lansing, Iowa.

During his life Rudy was active in the Linn County Fish and Game Club as well as the Waltonian Archers, serving several times as an officer of those organizations. An avid hunter, at one point he held the second place record for the state of Iowa for points on a buck deer.

Rudy is survived by his wife Paula of 63 years, two children Charles (Charlie) [Kathy] and Glenn (Doug) [Keena], seven grandchildren, Katrina, Steven, Rebecca, Stacey, Casey, Amber and DJ as well as many great grandchildren. Other survivors are his sisters Rose McMurrin, Ellen Lathrop, Alice (Merlyn) Morris and Virginia (Denny) Durbin.

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