2012 Kiabab Youth Antlerless Hunt

It had been a couple of years, but my two youngest kids once again wanted to put in for the Kiabab Antlerless hunt. We put Nicky, Greta, and two of their friends in on one application and they were lucky enough to get drawn. A buddy's son from Tucson also got drawn, so we had 5 kids in our camp with tags. The hunt had some ups and downs, but overall was a blast! In addition to four dads with 5 hunters, I had two other great friends join just for the camping & fun! We ended-up with seven adults and nine kids in our camp. Awesome time!

Like I said, there were ups and downs! First the 'down': On opening morning I was walking in the dark around the front of my pick-up to start it and warm it up. I ended-up tripping over a tent stake, and did a header directly into the front-right wheel well of my pick-up! Got-up to wipe the snow/mud off of myself and found that my left arm wasn't working. Hurt like @%$^%@!!!! Of course I stuck it out and hunted all weekend. Went to the M.D. last Monday, to discover I broke my left shoulder in several places plus 'separated it'! Looks like surgery may be in my near future...... I'll find-out early this week when the surgeon looks at the M.R.I. results.

OK, now to the 'ups'! We had an amazing time on the Kiabab!!! A little sloppy weather on Friday, but that didn't keep us down! Saturday and Sunday were beautiful days! All five kids had their deer by Noon on day two, and we then spent the rest of the time just relaxing, cooking, laughing, etc..... LOTS OF FUN!!


Also, another factoid, there were five deer killed on this hunt and only five shots fired! All junior hunters made great 'one shot' kills on their deer!

A few pics below!

S.



PS: I know that some folks are not fond of this hunt, as they don't want any does/antlerless deer being killed (since it ultimately means less bucks). That being said, it is a GREAT opportunity for a youngster to have a fun hunt with lots of animals seen. We always love it, and I'm glad the kids got drawn.


Greta and Annie on opening morning! Looking at the way Greta is bundled-up, you would think it was -20 degrees!!!



Nick and his deer. He shot it about 20 minutes into opening morning!



Around Noon on opening day we came back to camp for some brunch/breakfast. This is the weather we dealt with on and off for most of the day!



Greta and Annie relaxing and having fun while breakfast was being cooked!



Campfire time! Dutch-oven meals every night!!!


My little sweetie and I with her deer! A little 'button buck' shot on the second morning.


She's learning how to skin!



All five kids and their trophys!

Looks like a great time was had by the kids and adults (sans the busted up shoulder of course). Don't put too much stock in the naysayers. A few does and fawns killed by a few kids is fine and their contribution as hunters throughout the years will be great. They are our future. Nice to see the kids in on the skinning and meat prep. Thanks for the pics and narrative.

Thats what its all about right there! Nothin better then hunting and being in the great outdoors with family and friends.

looks like fun!!! congrats

I try to tell my son(6) that you have to be a little careful when your in the backcountry, there isn't a hospital close, etc., etc!! Guess we should have the discussion with the adults! Sucks to get busted up. but 30 years from now, this will be the yearly story around the campfire. "remember when dad faceplanted and broke his shoulder?".

But perhaps we should alert the media, you had 5 kids with guns? How many schools got shot up? How many ended up dead?

When I suggested to Founder that he start this forum, THIS is what I had in mind. I love to hunt, love to read about it, etc., etc., but I remember what sucked me in and it was a camp like yours, where I was treated not as a kid, but as one of the guys, where I got to see my dad not as dad, but as a fun guy, in fact a friend. This is doing it right!! Who cares what the hunt is, or what got killed, this is how it is done and you should be proud!! My dad died a decade ago, I still hunt with his friends(all in their 60's and 70's) and with my two cousins that i have hunted with for over 3o yrs and for the last two years I have got to bring in my son(now 6). Bet you that your kids will do the same!!!



"Your just jealous because _____, so you can't know anything!!"

LAST EDITED ON Nov-13-12 AT 10:58AM (MST)[p]Thanks for the words, hossblur! Yes, i agree! THIS is what it is all about! Friends, family, kids, campfires, guns, deer, dutch-ovens, etc.... My dad is 86 now, and rarely gets out. Amazing memories though.... All good!

Also, yes! I fully expect to be hazed years from now for my clutsy fall! (Two weeks out of surgery now. Physical therapy starts tomorrow, and I'm NOT looking forward! I hear the Therapists enjoy hurting people! lol)

My 17 year old and I are scheduled for a coues deer hunt in a couuple of weeks here in Southern AZ. Frankly, I don't really care if I'm in shape to shoot by then. Just as long as I can glass, I'll be happy! ;-)

S.



PS: Yes, 5 kids with high-powered weapons! Everyone came home safe (except my shoulder)! No vandalism, graffiti, etc. Just good 'clean' American fun!!

Awesome! Great Parents in this story!
Why did you keep the capes? just curious.
Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"


Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer? See Zeke for prime example....

Thanks for the words. Yes, lots of good folks came along on this hunt!

We did not keep the capes. Dropped them in the trash. My little one (Greta) shot her first deer on this hunt a couple of years ago. I had the cape/skin tanned and she keeps it on her bed at home. Mainly we only kept the heads/capes so we could get a good picture of all five kids with their deer on the last day as we were packing-up. All of the heads/capes/skins on this hunt ended-up being thrown in the trash after that though.

S.