elkeater2
Handloader
- Jan 5, 2009
- 761
- 85
I have written about hunting with my son several times here. 15 years ago he was disabled, yet in many ways that was the beginning of our hunting adventures together. There has been success with elk, deer, antelope and turkeys. There have been many more trips that fizzled due to weather, ground conditions, access issues, no cooperation from the quarry, etc. - just like we all experience. We take those in stride and treasure the time together.
We just finished two days of the rewarding kind antelope hunting! Day one was buck tag day. Wind was 30 - 40 mph, 39 degrees F., and brutal, threatening rain or snow and misting while it made up it's mind. At daylight nothing was moving or showing up. We finally saw some in some brush on the side of steep mountain, no way to get close. They were protected from the wind and content to stay there. Finally a few started traveling and eventually a group came near us. Son initiated his new 6.5 x 284 @230 yards. We were elated. About that time I figured out that the hurricane I was experiencing inside my head was coming from the hearing aids mostly - the wind was much more tolerable without them!
Day two we were joined by one of my son's friends. He wasn't hunting, just observing, but great to have along. The doe/fawn tag second license was ready. This day was the complete opposite of the previous - promise of clear sky, 10mph winds, 50 degrees F. already at 6 AM. As it got light there were antelope scattered everywhere. A small group grazed within 120 yards or so, and there was a big doe without any fawns tagging along. One shot in the chest and she charged off in a death run. Legs getting less coordinated every stride, then a forward somersault flop and lay still. High five time!
So if I pulled you into this with the subject title, that was my intention. To us, this beautiful doe is a trophy. The memories made are priceless. The bonding time likewise. The whole experience, and all the others leading up to it are absolute treasures. We have been blessed.
We just finished two days of the rewarding kind antelope hunting! Day one was buck tag day. Wind was 30 - 40 mph, 39 degrees F., and brutal, threatening rain or snow and misting while it made up it's mind. At daylight nothing was moving or showing up. We finally saw some in some brush on the side of steep mountain, no way to get close. They were protected from the wind and content to stay there. Finally a few started traveling and eventually a group came near us. Son initiated his new 6.5 x 284 @230 yards. We were elated. About that time I figured out that the hurricane I was experiencing inside my head was coming from the hearing aids mostly - the wind was much more tolerable without them!
Day two we were joined by one of my son's friends. He wasn't hunting, just observing, but great to have along. The doe/fawn tag second license was ready. This day was the complete opposite of the previous - promise of clear sky, 10mph winds, 50 degrees F. already at 6 AM. As it got light there were antelope scattered everywhere. A small group grazed within 120 yards or so, and there was a big doe without any fawns tagging along. One shot in the chest and she charged off in a death run. Legs getting less coordinated every stride, then a forward somersault flop and lay still. High five time!
So if I pulled you into this with the subject title, that was my intention. To us, this beautiful doe is a trophy. The memories made are priceless. The bonding time likewise. The whole experience, and all the others leading up to it are absolute treasures. We have been blessed.
