Taylor was a Trooper

[lancetkenyon]

Well, we had big plans for Taylor's first ever mule deer hunt, but you know what they say about the best laid plans...

 

Here is a short synopsis of her hunt, and I just want to say how proud I am of her patience, stamina, ethics, will power and determination.

 

We got out of town later than I thought we would on Wednesday prior to the hunt, and that put us up in 12AE about 9:00PM. It rained the entire way from Black Canyon City until we got to Jacob's Lake and found our camp site. We actually got snow when we were pulling into our spot.

 

 

What does it mean???

 

 

When we got to the camp spot, I really didn't want to spend 3 hours in the freezing rain and snow to set up camp, so we crawled into a couple sleeping bags in the front seat and tried to get some uncomfortable shuteye. I am sure a lot of you have done this.

 

 

Anyway, we scouted in the rain all day Thursday, and saw a total of 18 bucks. Nothing Taylor was interested in shooting, but a great start. A few smaller 4x4s and some 3x4s.

 

Some early morning photo ops on our way to scout.

 

 

Camp, sweet camp.

 

 

Opening morning had us at our spot we wanted to hunt about 30 minutes before legal shooting light, just enough time to lad up, and hike into our vantage point to glass. Well......we started out from the truck, and I figured I better glass the closer hillsides just in case. Spotted a buck at 430 yards when we were only 30 yards from the truck. Couldn't tell how big he was yet, so we got set up just in case.

 

 

Taylor decided to pass, as it was a 3x4, about 20-22" wide. Not what she was after on opening day.

 

 

So we grabbed our stuff and headed to the glassing spot. We were about 400 yards from the point I wanted to get to when a couple does came busting over the ridge and headed down into the canyons. Looked back, and some other hunters were walking the other ridgeline. What they didn't see will still haunt my memories. A great 4x4 buck with a couple small bucks and about 6 does, that had already crossed our ridge an headed down into the canyons. I quickly ranged them at 550 yards as they moved across our canyon. Taylor quickly got set up for a shot and we got her as steady as possible, as this was a definite opening day shooter buck. A wide, tall, deep forked 4x4. They continued to move and finally slowed at 790 yards, easily makeable for Taylor...if the opportunity presents itself.

 

Shooting to the far row of dead trees 3 ridges over.

 

 

 

It went something like this, for the next 30 minutes.

"OK, he is moving."

"When he stops, squeeze slowly"

"Wait, there is a doe behind him"

"Wait, there is a doe in front of him"

"Wait, he is moving"

"OK, Now....wait, he is moving"

"He is behind the tree now"

"He is the one on the left, you can see his head"

"He is coming out....please stop"

"Wait, he has a doe in front of him"

"Wait for him to clear that bush"

"OK, get ready, he is coming out....please stop!"

"Wait, he is moving"

"When he stops, put one in him"

"OK, he is stopping, wait, there is a doe in front of him now"

And so on and so on for 30 minutes.

 

He finally slowly walked over the ridge. We could see his does for another 10 minutes, so we know he wasn't far. We waited hi out for 5 hours with no reappearance. We headed back to the truck to drive around and get on the other side of the burn to get the sun behind us and maybe get another chance at him. To no avail.

 

We passed up bucks like this on the way over. About 100 yards. Saw 18 bucks opening day.

 

 

Day #2 started out with us getting to our spot right at legal shooting light, and I glassed up 5 bucks at 340 yards on a hillside. They were feeding along, and never stopped. One was a good 4x5, about 24" wide, pretty tall, with a unique rack. A basic 3x4 main frame, with the left G3 split, and the right main beam having a 6" kicker straight in for the 4th. Again, no shots were taken, but Taylor seriously considered taking him for the next 20 minutes anywhere between 440 yards to 719 when he topped over the ridge finally.

 

 

Shooting to the top of the opposite ridge if the desire presented itself.

 

 

Anyway, we wound up passing on him, and passing up a few bucks of this caliber too. Saw 18 bucks.

 

 

Day 3: (The day that is going to cost me a couple thousand $$$)

 

Hiked a bunch, glassed a bunch. Saw 10 bucks in the morning.

 

 

 

We went back to camp at 1:00PM, took a shower, ate a big hot lunch, and decided to just stay around camp for the last 2 hours of light. 5 minutes behind camp, I spot a herd of deer with a whopper buck in t at 75 yards. A 26"ish wide, freakishly crazy tall, heavy, deep forked 4x5. Probably 190"+? Well, he is just over the edge, so we jump out of the truck, grab my .25-06 Ackley, and Taylor can only see his antlers over the grass. I had a clear view of his vitals but she is quite a bit shorter than me. The buck takes off, circling us. I get Taylor set up on a stump for a shot through an opening if he passes through at 100 or so yards. The buck cuts towards us, in the bottom of a small depression, an heads down into a canyon. We beat it over looking for him. He gave us 3 other opportunities of about 3 seconds each. Sounds like plenty to most of us, but not quite enough time for Taylor to get the tripod set up and find him in the scope. After about 10 minutes of cat and mouse, he vanished. Saw a total of 12 bucks.

 

I am now in the planning stages for a lightweight mountain rifle that Taylor will be able to shoot offhand if the needs presents itself.

 

Day 4-7 goes on with more of the same. Seeing an average of 12-18 bucks, a few worth shooting. Another big 4x5 with a cool big 14"+ inline between his left G3 & G4. Probably 28" wide, deep forks, fairly heavy, a 180"+ buck for sure. A few more mature 4x4s, too.

 

Day 8, Thursday. We have hiked a total of 41 straight line miles according to my GPS (also the day I broke my GPS). Not including up/down, zig-zag miles. We are beat. Taylor has been sleeping on the ride out now for the past 2 days.

She hates when I take these photos....

 

 

 

 

 

We jumped our last monster while hiking/glassing. A 32"+ deep forked 4x4. Watched him for 3 minutes as Taylor tried getting set up in the thick, nasty stickery bushes to no avail. From 350 to 456 yards until he topped a ridge and disappeared from our lives forever.

 

We decided at that point Taylor was done, and called it a very successful hunt. Headed back to camp, ate a hot lunch, and packed up.

 

I ad an absolutely fantastic time on this most frustrating hunt I have ever been a part of. I also learned more from Taylor than I probably taught her. She is tougher than I ever imagined, game for whatever I threw at her. Hiked countless miles through stickers, bushes, canyons, ridges, and downed trees. Her patience, endurance, and tenacity is beyond every one of my hunting buddies except possibly one. Her ability to rebound after a missed opportunity is awe-inspiring and heart-lifting. She also reminded me this trip that a successful hunt does not have to end in the harvesting of a game animal. Seeing God's beauty, His wonderful creatures other than the game we are pursuing, and enjoying time and fellowship spent with loved ones is a great reward. I might have to start hunting with my friends and family more often......sometimes.

 

We shared a lot of laughs, a lot of frustration, and even a few tears by both of us last week. 9 days with my youngest daughter was a true treat.

 

A few photos of the things I learned.

 

I tease Taylor that she has a big mouth....but not quite big enough to stuff a whole mini donut in.

 

 

No matter what the ads might tell you...."Zoomies" suck and are no replacement for good 15X binos. Even on a tripod.

 

 

Enjoy all of God's creatures when the opportunity presents itself, even while just driving down the road.

 

 

 

[lancetkenyon]

To all of the muzzy hunters heading up there now.....there are still a ton of monsters roaming around. Good luck, and enjoy the experience.

[Shedhunteraz]

Some of the best trophies are ones that are never taken but held in your heart as memories. Sounds you like both had an amazing hunt and some great father daughter time together. She may have not tagged out. But she will remember those 7-10 days she spent with you for the rest of her life no matter what size animals she takes. That is just an awesome story with a great write up. thanks for sharing.

[Flatlander]

Awesome write up Lance. What a great experience with your little girl. You are a great example to all of us dads.

[Adicted]

nice write up as always...

[lancetkenyon]

Hopefully have another write-up at the beginning of December with some elk photos in it.

[DUG]

Very cool write up and pictures!

[Heat]

Did you guys see the stop light in the middle of nowhere too? I got a kick out of that!

 

Great hunt! Loved all the pics! Sounds like a great hunting partner you have there. Sorry she didn't get her buck.

 

We took a lever action 30-30 along on my stepson's hunt. He was ready to rock and roll with my .270 with a scope but ended up taking his deer with the lever gun with open sights. Never hurts to have a couple of different guns for whatever scenario presents itself. I can understand not wanting her to take a rushed shot. I thought about that, but was pleasantly surprised when Andrew made a heart shot on his deer with no a lot of trigger time with that gun. I think his shotgun shooting helped him on that one.

 

Thanks again for sharing!

[Lucky Draw]

Great write up and pictures. Congrats on a great experience.

[IA Born]

Some of the best trophies are ones that are never taken but held in your heart as memories. Sounds you like both had an amazing hunt and some great father daughter time together. She may have not tagged out. But she will remember those 7-10 days she spent with you for the rest of her life no matter what size animals she takes. That is just an awesome story with a great write up. thanks for sharing.

 

Second this wholeheartedly! I absolutely love reading your posts involving your daughter. This hunt takes me straight back to my daughter's first elk hunt last year. At 10 years old, she had the first Peaks hunt and hiked about 24 miles in 3.5 total days of hunting. She didn't fill her tag, passed on two unethical shots, and hiked her butt off and always managed to find a smile, even through the tears. She's filled two deer dags since then and that elk hunt remains my favorite because of exactly what you described, Lance. No matter the outcome, you're doing it right! Congrats to you and Taylor!

[Zeke-BE]

Awesome story. I was thinking a few days ago you must of been out hunting because it was a few days that I realized we haven't seen any post from Lance!! Great pics, and it's awesome that your daughter really get into hunting.

[azpredator@work]

Love the story. Congrats to both of you...sounds like you had a blast.

 

Zoomies....hahaha😵

[AZHog]

Another great writeup and pics Lance! Thanks for taking the time to share your adventures and may you have many more with Taylor and the rest of your family!

[rcdinaz]

Great story! keep up the good work.

[stanley]

Sounds like a great hunt, Lance!!! Precious time spent with precious people.....

 

Thanks for sharing with the site!

 

S.