lancetkenyon Report post Posted October 23, 2019 So, my older daughter, Paige (28 w. Kids of her own), drew an early cow tag this year in 7W. She drew a 7W bull tag in 2016, but was 3 months pregnant, with morning sickness, sick as a dog with a cold, plus had a new job which meant she could not miss any time. Needless to say, she basically slept the entire hunt in the back seat while I looked to get her a shot in super snowy & cold conditions. Actually almost made it happen on day two, but first legal light, overcast, and snowing made determining which elk was the 5x5 against the deadfall impossible, so we let them walk at 160 yards. That was her first elk tag since she was 11 years old, 14 years earlier. It turned out to be one of the best elk hunts I have been on, with my son-in-law taking his first ever big game animal on the last day after passing or missing opportunities on 45 other bulls. Since my Father-in-law passed away in Jan 2016, and gave me his 7RM and asked me to build it up and kill an elk with it for him (something he had not done in the 25 years we hunted together), it was my goal to have the entire family do just that to honor him. Taylor was the first one to ever kill an elk with it in Oct 2016. A nice cow in 7W, my Father-in-law's favorite unit. Paige missed her opportunity in November on that bull. Then, I killed my bull in 7E in 2017 with it. So the pressure was on to get Paige an elk with it. Now, I knew I was going on the hunt to be chauffer and guide, but I expected my son-in-law to be with us the whole time as well. He went, but his role turned into camp beyotch/babysitter for my two granddaughters (2yo & 9mo) while just Paige and I were hunting. I love my son-in-law and granddaughters like my own life, but to have the opportunity to spend a hunt alone with Paige was truly a blessing, since the chances for just her and I to spend time together anymore are extremely rare. So, before the hunt started, I got Paige out to the range to zero the 7RM and my .280AI as a back up to her shooting. She shot a total of 24 rounds, 3 rounds from each rifle, from the bench, then 3 different shooting positions. All at 200 yards... Sitting with bipod front/rear. Sitting w. Bipod front, stool rear Prone Yeah, I think she is good. We loaded up Thursday and headed out. My son-in-law already went up with their big 5th wheel, so I borrowed a little trailer for myself. Got up there late, so we all crashed in the 5th wheel that fist night. Opening day broke a little chilly at 32°, and Paige took a page from Taylor's Playbook of Hunting w. Dad.... Day 1: 35 tanks checked, 4 w. water, seems like 40sq miles glassed, 0 elk seen. Day 2: Cold @ 19°. Checked another 25 tanks, 2 held water. Saw 4 cows in camps, which meant they were around, but scarce. We found a tank that had water, but no other tanks within about 4 miles that we checked had water. It was kind of close to a road, amd wide open in the middle of a big meadow. Very visible from the road. We decided to sit it anyway, in hopes elk would come to water during legal light. We got there about 4:00pm after glassing every hill on the way there. Got set up, and I really wasn't expecting to have anything come in during light. But I kept practicing saying "Here they come" in my head. Paige was reading a book. 5:00 on the dot....I whisper "Here they come!" From 200 yards out, at a trot to the tank which is 100 yards away from us. 7 cows and a nice, but still young, 7x7 bull. Paige spazzes out, throws her book and starts moving all around. I tell her "Slowly! Move slowly." "Get the gun up...slowly!" "Chamber a round....slowly!" "Shoot that lead cow.....as.soon as she stops." Within 30 seconds of making their appearance, they were literally diving in the tank at a trot. 6 cows were in, one left and the bull bringing up the rear. I said, "Shoot that last cow before she gets in the tank...you have to do it now!" Quartering on...Boom! I watched her hunch, turn to trot off. The other cows stayed drinking after looking around. She went 40 yards and tipped over. Less than 1 minute had transpired. I told Paige, "Stay still, let them drink as much as they can." The cows kept drinking. The bull waited for 10 minutes, then walked in and drank for 5 minutes straight. After 15 minutes, they walked back into the trees, looking at the down cow as they went. Sure would have been nice if it was a bull tag... So we completed they family quest to fulfill my Father-in-law's wishes to kill an elk for him. All 3 of us have helped with that. A few tears were shed as we discussed it. A few high fives were given as well. A lot of memories were made as well. For me at least....apparently, two kids under 3 years old takes its toll on your sleep habits. 22 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Browns Report post Posted October 23, 2019 Great story buddy! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtuck Report post Posted October 23, 2019 Congratulations on a great hunt lancetkenyon. Time with your kids is precious and this is a great story! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swivelhead Report post Posted October 23, 2019 Thanks for posting a really nice story. Congrats to your daughter. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted October 23, 2019 Great way to honor your FIL. I remember the post when your SOL killed I think. If I remember correctly they were way up in a knob. So is your wife in line next to use the 7mm? Great job dude and congrats to your daughter! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DUG Report post Posted October 23, 2019 Congrats on her elk! It was a dusty hunt. I think you ran into my son in the white tacoma extra cab. He told me your license plate. He shot the lead cow Sat. morning with the rest of the herd standing in an empty tank. I saw your 4Runner with the hatch open as we drove by about 5:15. The other guy I had with me got shots right before dark just a couple miles north of you. He missed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1denogean Report post Posted October 23, 2019 awesome job to all! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted October 23, 2019 35 minutes ago, DUG said: Congrats on her elk! It was a dusty hunt. I think you ran into my son in the white tacoma extra cab. He told me your license plate. He shot the lead cow Sat. morning with the rest of the herd standing in an empty tank. I saw your 4Runner with the hatch open as we drove by about 5:15. The other guy I had with me got shots right before dark just a couple miles north of you. He missed. That is funny. I saw you drive by and thought, "That looks like DUG's FJ...". Small world. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Outdoor Writer Report post Posted October 23, 2019 Good job, Dad. 👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted October 23, 2019 Great stuff, Lance. Congrats to Paige! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted October 23, 2019 Awesome adventure.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossislider Report post Posted October 23, 2019 That's awesome buddy! Congrats to you all! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted October 23, 2019 Love it, Lance!!! Best of times!!! Like you, I've been on many hunts with my kids over the years. Heading down south this afternoon for an early coues hunt with my soon to be 25 year old. No matter what age, hunting with your "children" NEVER gets old! S. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wannakillabigbull Report post Posted October 23, 2019 I'm a sucker for bulls with crown points...great hunt Lance thanks for the write up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
