elkeater2
Handloader
- Jan 5, 2009
- 761
- 85
Since I've been on the forum, I have shared some about the family when it seemed appropriate. My son Dave was injured and paralyzed in 2005. We've had some good trips since, but elk have always eluded him. That ended yesterday! An amazing group of hunting friends have welcomed him for about three years now as part of their camp. This year I was invited along as well.
There have been many trips and close calls that built to this moment for Dave, and that made success that much sweeter.
We had gone to a spot we had done stands in twice earlier in the week. There had been some elk movement close enough to entice us once more. We got up and left just a little earlier, and there was a sense of anticipation which I'm sure many of you have experienced before. It just seemed right. We got Dave's big wheel on the front of the chair and were able to get to the spot before daylight. Got the wheelchair angled just right, the shooting sticks positioned, and the camo screen set up. Dave (not too tactfully) pointed out there was a little clump of jackpines I could use for cover if I 'just had to move around'.
As the clock ticked past legal shooting time, there was a cloud bank on the east horizon which delayed the dawn somewhat. I was poking around a little behind my jackpines when Dave whispered 'I hear twigs snapping!' and gestured for me to move up closer to him. In seconds, there was movement in a group of small aspens coming down off the ridge to our right. The cows in front only halted for a moment, then stepped out. Four or five of them, followed by a spike, then 3 more cows and a legal bull. There were more cows behind him, but Dave had no thoughts of waiting for something larger to show. There were too many years and emotions wrapped up in the opportunity at hand. He waited for a clear shot, and squeezed off his .300 Bee. The bull had one half step left in him, then fell. Help soon arrived, including a well-designed elk size game cart and the hands to make it go. High fives, hugs, and congratulations continued into the evening. And yeah, ol' Dad had a couple tears in his eyes.
EE2
There have been many trips and close calls that built to this moment for Dave, and that made success that much sweeter.
We had gone to a spot we had done stands in twice earlier in the week. There had been some elk movement close enough to entice us once more. We got up and left just a little earlier, and there was a sense of anticipation which I'm sure many of you have experienced before. It just seemed right. We got Dave's big wheel on the front of the chair and were able to get to the spot before daylight. Got the wheelchair angled just right, the shooting sticks positioned, and the camo screen set up. Dave (not too tactfully) pointed out there was a little clump of jackpines I could use for cover if I 'just had to move around'.
As the clock ticked past legal shooting time, there was a cloud bank on the east horizon which delayed the dawn somewhat. I was poking around a little behind my jackpines when Dave whispered 'I hear twigs snapping!' and gestured for me to move up closer to him. In seconds, there was movement in a group of small aspens coming down off the ridge to our right. The cows in front only halted for a moment, then stepped out. Four or five of them, followed by a spike, then 3 more cows and a legal bull. There were more cows behind him, but Dave had no thoughts of waiting for something larger to show. There were too many years and emotions wrapped up in the opportunity at hand. He waited for a clear shot, and squeezed off his .300 Bee. The bull had one half step left in him, then fell. Help soon arrived, including a well-designed elk size game cart and the hands to make it go. High fives, hugs, and congratulations continued into the evening. And yeah, ol' Dad had a couple tears in his eyes.
EE2
Nice CL
