LAST EDITED ON Oct-02-18 AT 09:42AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Oct-02-18 AT 09:40?AM (MST)
Many of you have asked me to post on the status...well on Sept 30th at about 9:30 am after a 3 mile staulk, with her grandfather and mother by her side, Haillie took a 221 yard shot and made a perfect shot on her first nice 6x6 bull. He went about 30 yards and fell. She is the one that practiced, juggled her crazy high school life, overcame her anxiety, and packed/dressed and took care of HER bull. I am proud of her not for the kill, but for being more than what she thought she could be!
Now this story would not have had this ending without countless hours of help from many old friends and new friends on MM. Haillie had just had her homecoming dance on Sept 29th till midnight and then her, her mom and grandfather got up at 3am and drove to camp where we headed out to get into position on a bull the I and my good friend JD had found the morning before. As with most hunts even the best laid out plans do not work...this would turn out no different. But with help from another great friend, Deon was able to find them. A 3 miles cat and mouse game began with several broken up bulls causing more grief than I care for. The 6x6 had about 90 cows and spent most of the time fighting off a couple other larger 6x6 that were broken up pretty bad. Once we had the lead cow patterned, it was just a matter of getting in front of them and hoping the canyon we picked would be the right one. We were able to watch 100 elk file by us at 220 yards while I secretly prayed that the herd bull would give us a clean shot. He did and that was it.
Once again for all of those that texted, called, emailed and in any way helped--we thank you. With 80 % of the her area being closed and juggling life---we could not be happier. To watch my 76 year old dad crawl on all four in the dirt for hundreds of yards just to be next to and be apart of this young ladies memories is a testament to what hunting is all about! My wife that gave up her tag so that her daughter could experience this and picking to go vs just staying in the truck... by being a huntress in her way and sacrificing so much to juggle all the pieces---well words just can not explain.
Well I know that was long, but for those that know me I tend to be a bit long winded.
Thanks to everyone