The Third Addition to the Alaska 7 Pipe Set (Blacktail Deer)

[alaskanpiper]

Just like a deer the pipe looks like it could disappear into the tall grass or treeline in a heartbeat. Love it!

And it will, once I take it out for spin!!!

 

[jmill208]

These are fantastic. Keep em coming!

 

[Gus]

All,

For those that missed pipes 1 and 2, you can find them here , and here .

I was born, raised, and still live in Alaska and throughout that time hunting wild game has been a core part of my life, culture, and subsistence. One of the most interesting animals to hunt in Alaska is the Sitka Blacktail deer. While being one of the most dainty and miniscule deer species in North America (a huge specimen weighing 200lbs), they also inhabit some of the world's harshest terrain. From SE Alaska, where steep slopes, high winds, and 13 feet of yearly rain make it a challenge for any animal, to Kodiak island where windswept 6 foot tall grasses may be all that keeps you hidden from one of the highest concentrations of the some of the world's largest bears, constantly hunting you. Harsh winters in both areas can have devastating effects on populations as well, but the Blacktail deer not only survives, but often thrives in these conditions. They are also some of the most delicious game meat you can find.

For the third pipe in the set I have chosen to honor the Blacktail's lithe and graceful, yet rugged nature with a shape that I feel encompasses both, that of a slightly bent Cutty with a plateau rim. This Cutty features an antler shank mount, using antler bases from a blacktail deer I harvested myself on Kodiak island. I wanted to keep the shape svelte and fluid like a fleeing blacktail, but also add a sense of ruggedness so I chose to leave the rim as a plateau, and utilize a contrast sandblast to make the pipe a little more organic in nature. Blacktail deer have much more diminutive antler structure than most deer species, including their brow tines which are often a simple small nub. I chose to replicate that in the foot of the Cutty, by making it a mostly aesthetic nub similar to what is found as a brow tine on many blacktail racks.

Then we come to the stem. You will see two faux ivory white bands, one slightly larger than the other. This is to honor the most heart pounding moment in blacktail hunting. When a blacktail buck is staring straight at you, you see the contrast of their black head and nose, along with their signature two white patches on the neck and breast, one usually slightly larger than the other. At that point you have moments to pull the trigger, or your prey will be gone in a flash. Now given that we had to chop the base of an antler off to make this possible, I also requested the carver use the rest of that antler to create a matching tamper with a shell casing base to go along with this pipe. He surprised me by also carving "Alaska" into the tamper. As with all pipes in this set, a 49 is lasered on to the base to honor my home, the 49th State in the Union.

Again, my choice for a carver was obvious for this pipe. Josh Ronish with Dragon Briars has extensive experience with antler, and an amazing talent for taking complex pipe design and making them a reality with unrivaled accuracy and efficiency.

Ladies and Gents, the Josh Ronish Blacktail Cutty:

View attachment 68588
View attachment 68589
View attachment 68590
View attachment 68591
View attachment 68592
View attachment 68593
View attachment 68594

awasome, love it

 

[Infantry23]

These pipes have all been beautiful works of art, but this is by far my favorite. I love how symbolism and utilitarianism intersect on this pipe. Josh did an amazing job on this pipe and your designs are spot-on.

 

[Chasing Embers]

That's my favorite so far.?

 

[Tommy Boy]

I agree with chasingembers this is my favorite so far. Love the idea and look of this pipe. Can't wait to see more of those pipes.

 

[jcsoldit]

Simply stunning addition!

 

[PipesRock]

What a great concept and mighty fine pipe. There will have to be a 49 themed rack for these 7 no doubt? Looking forward to the future additions as well.

 

[danimalia]

Wow, man. Incredible and incredibly unique!

Also, I was going to ask about the meat from Sitka deer, since my experience with venison suggests a reverse correlation between size and taste. It's good, he?

I missed #2, so going to check that one out now.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Wow, man. Incredible and incredibly unique!

Also, I was going to ask about the meat from Sitka deer, since my experience with venison suggests a reverse correlation between size and taste. It's good, he?

I missed #2, so going to check that one out now.

Blacktail meat is excellent. Very clean taste and tender. We don’t have other “deer” species here, so i wouldnt know, but out of state hunters rave about it so there may be something to your theory. However, moose is equally delicious which blows your theory out of the water if you count that as venison, hahaha.

The beauty of blacktails is that their backstraps are the ideal size for grilling whole:

 

[shanez]

Blacktail meat is excellent. Very clean taste and tender. However, moose is equally delicious which blows your theory out of the water, hahaha.

The beauty of blacktails is that their backstraps are the ideal size for grilling whole:

View attachment 68680

Deer roasts do very well in a smoker. Especially when injected with cajun butter!

 

[alaskanpiper]

Deer roasts do very well in a smoker. Especially when injected with cajun butter!

They do well in anything if done right. Instant pot has been the go to lately.

 

[shanez]

They do well in anything if done right. Instant pot has been the go to lately.

We used to use dry/powdered Lipton onion instant soup mix as a sort of dry rub before putting a roast in the pot.

Getting hungry now!

 

[alaskanpiper]

We used to use dry/powdered Lipton onion instant soup mix as a sort of dry rub before putting a roast in the pot.

Getting hungry now!

Oh yeah, thats an old school bush trick. Works like a charm. Certainly not the best option, but totally works.

 

[danimalia]

Deer roasts do very well in a smoker. Especially when injected with cajun butter!

Ima give some of my stepdad's venison a try in the smoker. Any tips, besides the Cajun Butter? Is Cajun Butter something you buy or make?

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I love that pipe. Congratulations brother!?️

 

[shanez]

Ima give some of my stepdad's venison a try in the smoker. Any tips, besides the Cajun Butter? Is Cajun Butter something you buy or make?

There are other flavors available but:

 

[shanez]

Oh yeah, thats an old school bush trick. Works like a charm. Certainly not the best option, but totally works.

I've not had the pleasure trying of Sitka deer but it's good on Nebraska whitetails.

 

[shanez]

Just to bring the thread back on track, that pipe just evokes "deer".

I'm really liking each pipe individually but together as a concept they seem to surpass their sum total.

 

[jttnk]

Really cool. I love the thoughtfulness and care going into this project. It’s great to see collaboration across several artists. Keep’ em coming and thank you so much for sharing this unique, rich treasure.