DBZona Report post Posted Sunday at 06:53 AM Now I have a problem. They are too far to shoot from where we are, but if we go closer the trees block our view and we can’t see them. We decide to continue on and hope that somehow we can get a shot. we reached the point where the road turns left and goes along the base of the hill, but there are too many trees. I notice a trail off to my right that leads to what might be an opening. I told AJ and Chris to stay put, while I checked it out. I finally get to a spot where I can see through the trees and there is a cow standing in the only shooting window we have. I wave them over and hope that at some point we could get a shot. As they were slowly coming they got halfway to where I was when the bull popped out into the opening. Now I am frantically waving them over. First of all, this hillside has elk all over it. What are the odds that the only bull in the group pops into the only opening through the trees that we have. Secondly, what are the odds that that bull would stay in that small opening for as long as he did, allowing them enough time to get over to me, get set up, and get a shot off. this is the small window we had. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBZona Report post Posted Sunday at 07:08 AM But that is exactly what that bull did. We got AJ on the death grip, had the turrets dialed for a 480 yd shot. Turn the camera on to aim, and my heart sinks. The camera is blown out, over exposed, and we can’t make out anything. Than I decided to pull the camera off and I would have to aim for him while he pulled the trigger. So I put my eye behind the glass and told him to pull the trigger when I say shoot. “SHOOT!” BOOM!!! Chris and I both see that bull drop. i couldn’t be a prouder dad at that moment. I hugged AJ to the ground. “You did it buddy! Hes dead! You dropped him right there!” Chris and I couldn’t believe it. The week had been such a grind. And the sense of relief that came over myself was almost too much to handle. My boy, has overcome so much. To live with Cerebral Palsy and an intellectual disability yet fulfill a dream of hunting. All I wanted out of this hunt was to see him push himself. And he did. And HE NEVER ONCE COMPLAINED. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ruby Report post Posted Sunday at 07:21 AM Wow, awesome hunt and congrats to you and your son! Great write up as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBZona Report post Posted Sunday at 07:26 AM AJ wanted to walk up the hill through the thorns to go see his elk . enjoying the afternoon waiting for Chris and My dad to get back with the side by side so we could winch him down the hill AJ made it to his elk. A respectable 6x5 9 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBZona Report post Posted Sunday at 07:33 AM this is what we were dealing with all week Three generations of elk hunters AJ, Chris, and myself Me and my boy 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBZona Report post Posted Sunday at 07:53 AM Chris, Thankyou again for all you did. You and Dawn are great examples of how we all should be, Selfless and kind. You didn’t need to help. Especially a complete stranger. I am proud to call you a friend. 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazymonkey Report post Posted Sunday at 02:44 PM Absolutely one of the best most stressful, fun,and rewarding hunts I've ever been on . I would encourage anyone to do the same thing and help if you can . I'll agree with Dan we definitely needed and got a miracle. For that bull to stop in the only lane to shoot we had . It was just 10 feet wide and uphill. Once that bull dropped it was a absolute sigh of relief . I wanted for Aj to get a elk more than anything and we definitely were on our last chance . I'll give it to Aj he never once complained and was always being a joker . It's my pleasure to call you guys friends. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBZona Report post Posted Sunday at 02:44 PM Chris, feel free to add anything I may have left out. For example, How much AJ eats. For context, AJ is only 12 and already 5’7”. He has grown 5 inches in the last 4 months. We went to eat at Hannagen Meadow one night, and we each got burgers. By the time myself, My dad, and Chris were halfway done with our burgers, we looked over at AJ and his burger was gone, So I gave him the other half of my burger. This kid can eat. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evan Report post Posted Sunday at 03:00 PM Congratulations! What a great story! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed67 Report post Posted Sunday at 03:52 PM Great write up and hunt! Awesome shot AJ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted Sunday at 05:03 PM Wow what an amazing story, I felt tense reading the ups and downs! And to finish it all with a great bull. Huge congrats to all of you that's some great stuff right here! Great job AJ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allforelk Report post Posted Sunday at 05:54 PM Outstanding write up and a fantastic conclusion! Thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RJ75 Report post Posted Sunday at 05:55 PM Great hunt. Congrats on a well deserved bull. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted Sunday at 07:00 PM Hunters Helping Hunters. I'm sure your son is stoked. Nice of you to help out Chris. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
