Jdubbs07 Report post Posted November 13, 2012 I have grown up doing a lot of hunting and archery hunting at that. I have to give thanks to my Dad for being the one who taught me such a love for the outdoors. From a small kid I have numerous memories walking behind my dad on archery elk and deer hunts. When I was 14 I got my first bow ever. I am 23 now and have never once shot a deer with my bow or rifle. Although I cant complain I have been lucky enough to harvest 3 mature elk with my bow. It seems as we get older the hunting adventures slow down as we begin our own families and careers and my dad doesent archery hunt anymore due to troubles in his shoulder and not being able to draw his bow so for the past few years he has slowly drifted away from coming on our (mine and my older brother) hunts. I drew my first rifle deer tag when I was 16. It was a juniors deer tag in 24b. It was the last time I had walked and hunted side by side with my dad deer hunting. Opening morning we ran into a 24-26 wide nice 4x4 Mulie. I shot 4 times at a hundred yards and missed every single one (I blame it on the buck fever haha). Despite my bad attitude and not being happy for missing such an awesome opportunity, my dad always stayed positive and cheered em up. That hunt was 7 years ago. So this year I decided to apply on the same application as my dad's with high hopes that we could once again enjoy a rifle deer hunt together. With success on our side we drew the october any antlered deer hunt in 4a. This is the unit my dad taught me to hunt in as a kid and the unit where we have taken 7+ elk in the past decade between my family members. Although in this unit we had never seen many deer I was just happy to finally go deer hunting again with my dad. Opening weekend we got skunked, didnt even see a single deer, not even a doe. We decided to hunt the follwing weekend but only had one day to hunt (Saturday) due to some Sunday obligations we had. Satruday morning came and me and my dad were hunting along a big canyon with lots of acorns. We were seeing lots of sign and had high hopes we just might see some deer. As we quietly walked the ridge unkowingly we walked right into a Couse Buck. I first saw him and he was at 50 yards.(I was wishing I had my bow at this time haha) I quickly dropped to my knee, clicked the saftey, and BOOM! The rifle went off and the deer ran. It all happened so fast I could barely realize what had just occured. My dad looked at me and said "I never saw him". So we walked right to where he was standing, found no blood. I started thinking to myslef "Maybe he was so close I missed" I began to panic. We diceided to split up and look in the general direction that he ran. Low and behold I didnt go 20 yards and there was my deer dead as can be. I quickly shouted to my dad to come over, as I embraced him and gave him a big hug. What an experience it was to be able to harvest my first deer with the companionship of my father being there. We took plenty pictures and made some memories that will last forever. One thing my dad has taught me is that, the real trophy of the hunt is the memories you make with the ones you care about. In this case, hunting with my dad and harvesting my first deer ever, was the biggest trophy in my eyes I have ever had hunting. Attached are a few pics of my 2012 Coues Buck from unit 4a. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted November 13, 2012 AWESOME story and great pics! VERY cool that you and your dad can still experience these times together. My father is 86 now, and really doesn't get out much at all anymore. I have many years of amazing memories that we have shared together though! Thanks for sharing the story and pics with the site! S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeithV Report post Posted November 13, 2012 One word for this AWESOME!!! Spend as much time as you can with your father you will cherish the memories for the rest of your life. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucky2hunt Report post Posted November 13, 2012 What a terrific write-up! Thanks for sharing and congrats on a amazing hunt with your dad! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
archerman Report post Posted November 13, 2012 Very cool! I haven't hunted with my Pops in over 20 years. Sure would be cool if he would be able to go again. Congrats and hopefully you'll get a few more hunts with him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randyolson Report post Posted November 13, 2012 Thats a fantastic story that you will be able to enjoy for years to come! I am envious...Not of the nice deer that you got, but the bond that you had with your Dad on the trip. Congradulations!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mocha1545 Report post Posted November 13, 2012 Awesome! Great Deer and so Happy you got to share it with your Dad! Memories you will cherish forever! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twigsnapper Report post Posted November 13, 2012 Sweet! Very nice buck and always a good time huntin with your Pops. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted November 13, 2012 Any hunt spent with family and friends is a great hunt. Congratulations on a very nice buck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
