The initial post sounded to me like you packed up the morning after the shot for the 7x7 was spoiled. Sorry about the missunderstanding. Sounds like we are all learning something here. Your last two posts sound to me like a real man talking. I wish you and all your hunting partners well.

But I can tell you that you will be in for more days like you describe if you take more young people in the future. It is hard enough to hunt with a real grown up that we get along with, that has as much passion for the sport as we do, much less someone as young as him who hadn't been before. He definetaly has his issues, and I too would have been pissed if a kid didn't show great remorse at wounding one. In fact, I might have said that for the rest of the trip, the bull he missed would be the only one he could go for.

FYI, I am 51 and will be packing in this Friday on an elk hunt, so don't think you are out of it anytime soon! I sure don't plan on giving it up anytime soon.