Well it sounds like a good trip. And while getting a deer is an important part of growing up as a hunter, so is getting skunked. Its just (I agree) it would have been nice had they seen some and maybe even got a shot at one or two. And taken one of course.

When I took my nephew deer hunting the first time, I told him if he did not stop walking back to my stand I was going to take he shoes.. That kid would not sit on a stand by himself for more then twenty minutes.. Then he was cold, or he heard something, or hungry, or his best.. big smile and "did you see anything." They all have to grow out of that. He finally had to sit in my blind and then he was content.

Maybe the next time out, they will get the opportunity to harvest. At least you got to spend some quality time with your kids in a place where they were not distracted by computers, TV sets, or telephones.. That's worth the memories. Good luck elk hunting.

That sounded like a nice eating bear there.. Too bad you did not get the license.