I have been hunting in the same are for 30+ years. Sometimes I am lucky, sometimes I am luckier.
This year (in May we found out that we were on a list to take in a family member's kid.....they were both meth/coke users). Most of my military jobs since '74 have not lended themselves well to developing or pursuing permanent relationships. As a result I did not marry until I was 43 and by then my wife had a hysterectomy due to complications with her son's birth. Anyway, I have no biological kids of my own. In June he was placed in our home on a permanent basis leading up to his eventual adoption. He is 4.5 years old and had never been camping, never roasted marsmellows, never seen snow, etc.
We headed back to CO 8 days prior to opening day to do some camping.
Opening day we began seeing deer, no less than 25 a day. Austin had a ball. He got to see some deer (he wasn't a bit afraid of the dead deer and elk (my friend's success) which was a big relief. On the fourth day I shot a small mule deer (sorry team three, my picture is too big to be posted) which turned out to be quite possibly the smallest buck deer I had ever seen taken since 1969. Oddly enough, the next morning we came within 35 feet of a very nice and tall 2X2. That afternoon I saw, by far, the largest buck deer I have ever seen. He was standing within easy rifle shot...but, my tag was full.
I walked and stalked more miles this year than in most years past, but, never confirmed the bull I was after. I was close enough to pick up some still slimy poop twice and saw movement twice, but no confirmed sightings.
So, up to now my take on this hunt was a small (and quite tasty) buck and no elk.
My biggest take was yet to come. After we had come down to visit my sister, I took Austin to the cemetary while I paid my respects to family members. It was a beautiful fall day. We visited a couple of family member's graves then made our way to my parent's. As I was getting the camera ready I looked up to see my son kneeling with his hands clasped in prayer at mom's grave.
Seeing that, and realizing that this kid had the experience of a lifetime, made this hunt really exceptional.
Oh, and he tried his thing with a cow call as well. He did ok and cannot wait to get back next year and try again.
On edit, I forgot to add that I was able to help him understand the differences between elk and deer poop, elk and deer tracks and he got to see some wolf tracks (abou 20' behind where we were sleeping) and the results of a wolf kill on a cow elk.
Feddoc, Fabulous, my congrats! I will never hear enough stories about taking kids out into the woods. The good it does for them is priceless, way to go. In all my years working for H.S. my single greatest plessure was teaching kids to call. I would give them calls, teach them to use them, and if I had a video with me I gave them that too. I know some Moms that would like to kick me! But I also have Moms & Dads that can't thank me enough for setting the spark. And to them all I could say was my plessure and it was. You keep taking that boy. I know I will keep taking mine. Quick little story. I went to Denver to call in the RMEF competition, my boy Keaton was with me, he also called. I went up to the H.S. booth to check in with the guys. Wayne and Mark Carlton were there. Mark and I got to talking and I looked over and Keaton and Wayne were calling at each other. Keaton was wearing Wayne's hat and I didn't have my camera. Wayne had a huge smile on his face and so did Keaton. Wayne said you have taught this boy well, you should be proud. I was and am, and always will be, I told Wayne. Good moments with your kid are worth everything.
Gselkhunter
Another elk story
. Homegrown hunting buddies are the best. You cant find hunting partners better than the ones you raise.
