Elkhunter1 Report post Posted November 10, 2012 Well I guess I have to start with only four years ago my father and I reestablished our relationship. In 2009 I assisted him and my brother in taking this 3x3. This year we were doing the hunt on our own as my brother was helping his wife on her hunt. I spent yesterday afternoon glassing one canyon finding little to call home about, until a few minutes before dark I spotted a large bodied Coues. I didn't have enough light or time to get a good look at it. Buck - unknown! The alarm sounds the "Rooster" at 4:15, I get ready and head to my dads. we get on the road by 5:15 and at HIS spot by 5:50. He just has a "gut" feeling about this spot. As the sky opens and lets light in we move into position. After about an hour and a half without seeing anything but cows, I tell my dad I am going up on our old glassing hill to get a better vantage point. As I climb up the hill I look over my shoulder and my dad is walking back to the truck. Confused as to what he is doing I decide to glass anyway, not five minutes into the session and I spot a buck directly across the ravine from where my dad was sitting. I frantically try to get my dads attention as he is walking back to his spot from the truck. During my frantic state I loose the buck and bump my tripod knocking my binos around. I spend the next 10 minutes finding the buck. I spotted him bedded right under a boulder. I dropped down off the back side of the hill and circle around getting back to my dad. My dad and I make it back to his tripod one step at a time as the buck is in plain view at 280 yards. As we sat there waiting for him to stand up we had cows walk right up to us, a rancher on horseback walked by. This buck was so comfortable he laid his head back and napped for about fifteen minutes. About one and a half hours later we hear someone talking, two more on horseback walking up the ridge. As they get close the buck stands up. "Dad he's getting up, shoot him!" The first round hits the boulder right in front of him, he rears up acting like he is hit. I tell my dad, "he's hit, you hit him!" My dad replies, "no he's not!" As the buck moves up the hill my dad shoots four more times, every time I call the shots. The last, at 400 yards with the most spectacular shot. "Dad he is down, you head shot him," "I hit him where? That is where I was aiming!" We gathered all of our gear and hiked it back to the truck. As I was emptying my pack for the hike to the buck I asked my dad, "why can't you get'em close to the truck and not half way up the mountain?" My dad and I disagreed on weather he would make the climb or not, and as usual I lost. I found the buck five feet from where he stood. I found the exit hole right behind his left eye, but we couldn't find the entry hole. I won the next argument and packed the buck back to the truck and went back 1/3 of the way up the hill to get my backpack from my dad who was taking his time, being sure not to roll his ankle. He was positive I would not be able to pack him out after packing the buck off of the mountain. He says this might be his last hunt and all I can say is I am proud to have been a part of it! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcoues Report post Posted November 10, 2012 that is awesome,how honery our fathers can be at times tho ,i know my dad is the same way with me just got to make sure they are always right or else?nice head shot as well i am suprised the skull plate didnt break. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted November 10, 2012 Awesome Steve. Congrats to you both and glad you got to help him get it done one more time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
200"mulie Report post Posted November 10, 2012 Congrats on the buck ..... looks like a great time with your dad Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwrguy Report post Posted November 10, 2012 Great story, if my dad hunted I'm sure he would be exactly the same! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkhunter1 Report post Posted November 10, 2012 Thanks guys! I think the skull plate is cracked, we'll have to waite until he butchers the buckin about two weeks. The only thing wrong with this hunt is, it was just too short! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loco4coues Report post Posted November 10, 2012 nice! congrats!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophyhnter Report post Posted November 11, 2012 Good shootn! Hopefully its not his last hunt! Great story! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randyolson Report post Posted November 11, 2012 Congrats on the buck!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted November 12, 2012 Stephen, there are so many people who wish they could have the chance to hunt one last time with their dad so thank you for posting your dad's hunt. The memories you share here will definitely bring back some memories for others who have shared their last hunts with their fathers. Hopefully this isn't the last hunt you two will enjoy together. My father has been telling me for years, after each hunt, that this just might be his last hunt as well. Myself, like you, am hoping the memory making continues. My dad, 83, decided to put in for spring turkey and I hope I didn't mess up the application like I did last year. We both are very fortunate to have our dad's as hunting partners. The funny thing is, just last week I told my wife the same thing. This just might have been my last backpack buck for me and I'm 21 yrs younger than dad. lol Thanks for sharing the pictures and taking us along on your dad's hunt. I hope we are as tough at that age. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted November 12, 2012 I hope your dad decides to hunt again next year! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mocha1545 Report post Posted November 12, 2012 Great story! Thanks for sharing it. I hope you have more hunts with your Dad. My Dad only puts in for elk hunts now and I hope we get drawn next year. The hunts with my Dad are some of my fondest memories and I hope you and I get some more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkhunter1 Report post Posted November 14, 2012 I hope your dad decides to hunt again next year! Great story! Thanks for sharing it. I hope you have more hunts with your Dad. My Dad only puts in for elk hunts now and I hope we get drawn next year. The hunts with my Dad are some of my fondest memories and I hope you and I get some more. It gets harder and harder every year to get him to put in for the tag. I think I will try to get him to put in for Bull Elk next year. At least up there the terrain isn't as rough. Thanks to all for your kind words and the opportunity post my memories. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cvw789 Report post Posted November 15, 2012 Very cool. Congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted November 15, 2012 Congrata to your dad and nice write up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
