You know the part that bothers me the most, is that he took his Dad's deer. And whileI don't mean to demean deer hunting in Colorado, mule deer are not particularly difficult to hunt or bag, nowhere close to as difficult to bag as a whitetail generally is. It is practically certain that frontier gander's dad would have had an opportunity to take a deer during the hunt, if only frontier gander had let him do it.

Deer tags usually ARE NOTdrawn by a hunter on an annual basis in Colorado. Rather, it usually takes at least two draws, often more, (depending on the unit), to get a tag. This year I wanted my Dad to get a tag while I did not, just so I could guide him and do my best to give him just one great hunt like the many he oversaw for me.

My Dad's getting to the age where getting out is not as easy as it once was, especially in the wilderness of Colorado. Next year, should he draw, it may be the last hunt we get to experience together. I can tell you, I will do everything I can to see to it that he gets to experience the whole hunt, including the kill, and I will do nothing to take that away.

But we know how Dad's are. I'm sure that frontier gander's Dad said nothing to admonish him but probably congratulated him on his good "off-hand" shooting. It will probably take some time. But there most definitely will come a time when frontier gander sees, not only the hunt in a different light, but also appreciate his Dad in a way that he is probably only beginning to now. I don't mean to judge him in any way. I would just like for him to consider some things which are alot more important than filling a tag.

Happy Hunting, Phil