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Author Topic: What a trooper  (Read 10603 times)

Offline Rainier10

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What a trooper
« on: November 07, 2016, 08:42:04 AM »
So we are at my cabin this weekend in the Colockum.  My buddies kid drew a youth cow elk tag.  We are scanning the valley looking for elk and all of a sudden they come running across the hillside and stop right in front of my cabin about 120 yards away.  Scramble for the gun and bullets, unfortunately they were not ready and the elk started to walk away.  As he was getting set up for the shot I was explaining what elk were where and which one to shoot.  Not the front one, that is a 3pt, next two are cows, next one is a spike then a spike by two, 8 cows, then a big bull, shoot the last one in line that is a cow. No don't shoot, bad angle and they walked straight away.

I tell them what ridge to go down and where the elk are going.  I turn around as they are heading out the door and there is my oldest daughter, 14, dressed in hunter orange with a rifle.  She says "you said there was a spike, let's go."  So I throw on my coat, hunter orange and grab the shooting sticks and two knives.

We bail down the opposite ridge and work to catch up to the elk.  About a 1/4 mile in I ask how she is doing and if she brought her inhaler.  She is doing fine but didn't bring her inhaler.  I tell her to let me know if she needs a break.

We keep seeing the elk in front of us and off to our left, we are gaining on them.  At 1.5 miles we get busted and they start to move faster so we do as well.  As they crest the top of the next ridge about a mile in front of us I start to get concerned about if there really is a true spike.  Skylined it looks like there are two spike by two's.  I ask how she is doing and she says fine.  I ask if she wants to keep going and she says yes.

I know that there is a valley just about 300 yards over the top of the ridge that they like to hang out in so we push on.  Up the hill we go, it starts to wear on me and I am sure it is giving her fits as well.  I slow the pace as we get close to the top and tell her to breath deep and work to catch her breath.  We need to be steady for the shot and are getting close to having an opportunity.

As we work towards the draw I can see ears and yellow of their backs about 80 yards out.  We work closer and through the binocs it looks like the back one is a true spike with a little velvet at the top of the one antler that made it look like it was a spike by two.  We get set up and just watch as they walk away. I tell her to make sure the one in the back is a spike and wait for them to work up the side of the draw.  Going up they will surely turn broadside to look back at us.

Sure enough at 150 yards they all bunch up and turn broadside.  We take a long look and both agree it's a true spike.  I tell her to just wait and they will clear and give her a shot.  Just like they read the script they all start to move up hill and the spike just stands there broadside.  I say whenever you are ready and she lets the 308 bark.  We hear the smack and the elk barely moves.  He is hit hard and the other elk don't move at all.  I tell her to shoot again as I am watching the elk.  Boom, smack another solid hit.  This wobbles the elk and he takes about 5 steps.  He is in big trouble but still standing.  I grab the shootings sticks in my left hand, wrap my right arm around her, squeeze in tight to hold her steady and tell her to put one more in him.  Boom, smack and he hits the dirt.

Spike elk down.  High fives, big, I mean really big hugs and lots of congratulations.  I tell her at 14 she is now in the spike bull club.  What an accomplishment.  She says she is really tired and was glad that we pushed on up the hill to make it happen.

We get over to the elk, notch her tag and take some photos.

I check my watch and it's been 40 minutes since we took off until the elk is down.  I check my gps and we had done almost 3.5 miles in that 40 minutes.  What a trooper.

We called for help and started to break the elk down.  She was much more involved than she has been in the past and I went over everything in great detail.  With as successful as she has been in the past couple of years she is going to have to be ready to process her own at some point.

Heading out for her final tag next weekend, second deer in 154.  If she fills that all she will have left is a cougar tag.
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

Every father should remember that one day his children will follow his example instead of his advice.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

Offline bracer40

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2016, 08:53:11 AM »
Awesome story! Congrats!
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Offline WapitiTalk1

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2016, 08:55:29 AM »
Outstanding!  Congrats to the young hunter and her guide  :tup:
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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2016, 08:56:41 AM »
Atta girl.  :tup: She is stacking the meat up. Well done Dad.
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Offline bowhunterforever

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2016, 08:58:08 AM »
Awesome, nice job :tup:
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Offline Elkrunner

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2016, 09:04:49 AM »
awesome

Offline elkrack

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2016, 09:18:08 AM »
Great story good job👍🏻
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Offline Rainier10

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2016, 09:25:14 AM »
Last year she had a youth cow tag and was able to fill that.  Hiking around she had no problem keeping up with me and on some of the hills she was actually passing me.  Trying to catch up to these elk the "old man" was stretching it out a bit.  She said, "man I was having troubles keeping up with you dad, you were really moving."  I am sure one day she will realize that it isn't easy to get a true spike and you have to swing for the fences when the opportunity presents itself.

Pain is temporary.  She was a trooper and I am glad it paid off for her.

Every time we go out I am prouder of her.  She is really turning into a great huntress and outdoor girl.

Wife and both daughters are up next weekend for second doe tags. Look out Blue Creek does, the Rainier10 girls are coming for you.
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

Every father should remember that one day his children will follow his example instead of his advice.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

Offline Timberstalker

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2016, 09:30:25 AM »
What a year!  Congrats to her!
Awesome deal.
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Offline Slaysthefish

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2016, 09:42:05 AM »
Congrats that is awesome!

Offline 724wd

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2016, 01:14:38 PM »
Man, that's good stuff!!!   :tup: :tup: :tup:

Offline Skyvalhunter

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2016, 01:47:10 PM »
That's awesome I love the smile on her face!!!
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Offline Wanttohuntmore

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2016, 01:48:23 PM »
Congrats!  What Cal is that model 600?

Offline mhbrewster71

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2016, 02:29:18 PM »
AWESOME!!! Not much better than that!! Congratulations to your daughter (and you for being right by her side!)

Offline pianoman9701

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2016, 02:58:45 PM »
Really awesome story. Congrats to the great hunter.  :tup:
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Offline SniperDanWA

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #15 on: November 07, 2016, 02:59:29 PM »
Impressive.  Congrats to her!
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Offline arees

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #16 on: November 07, 2016, 03:17:47 PM »
Congratulations.  That is the way to put in the effort when it counted.
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Offline carpsniperg2

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #17 on: November 07, 2016, 03:22:28 PM »
Congrats to her.
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Offline wadu1

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #18 on: November 07, 2016, 03:25:13 PM »
Congrats!  What Cal is that model 600?
.308, see 7th paragraph

Great job young lady, and dad.
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Offline SkookumHntr

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #19 on: November 07, 2016, 03:38:15 PM »
Congrats to her!! :tup:
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Offline Rainier10

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #20 on: November 07, 2016, 03:39:55 PM »
Congrats!  What Cal is that model 600?
.308, see 7th paragraph

Great job young lady, and dad.
Yep, .308.  Long winded story I know, sorry it got lost in there.  7th paragraph? Man I was long winded.  Just a really proud dad rambling on.

My father in law got the gun for my wife 20 some years ago.  She is only 5'2" so it fits her great.  I have actually used it in Alaska for bear hunting.  Great gun for using in the brush, the scope flips out of the way so you can use open sights up close.

In the last two years it has dropped 5 elk.  My wife, my daughter and myself all got elk with it last year.  My wife and daughter did this year.  Just a great gun for putting down game.
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

Every father should remember that one day his children will follow his example instead of his advice.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

Offline SkookumHntr

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #21 on: November 07, 2016, 03:42:21 PM »
Oh when my daughter gets her first animal I will be doing the same thing!! haha  :chuckle:
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Offline Wanttohuntmore

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #22 on: November 07, 2016, 04:52:50 PM »
Ha, i even read it but it didn't register.   Reading this between meetings.   I have the same rifle and it works well.   Wife took a moose with it.

Offline csaaphill

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #23 on: November 07, 2016, 06:14:52 PM »
Awesome. Grats to the young hunter and dad.  :IBCOOL:
"When my bow falls, so shall the world. When me heart ceases to pump blood to my body, it will all come crashing down. As a hunter, we are bound by duty, nay, bound by our very soul to this world. When a hunter dies we feel it, we sense it, and the world trembles with sorrow. When I die, so shall the world, from the shock of loosing such a great part of ones soul." Ezekiel, Okeanos Hunter

Offline KM1986

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #24 on: November 07, 2016, 09:17:49 PM »
Nice work! Congrats

Offline DaveMonti

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #25 on: November 07, 2016, 09:33:57 PM »
Rick, if you need to get rid of some elk or deer backstraps, I think I can help you out with them.  5 elk in 2 years is a lot of elk meat, not to mention all the deer your family has been harvesting!  Just let me know!

 :chuckle:

Offline blackveltbowhunter

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #26 on: November 07, 2016, 09:54:31 PM »
WTG! Inspiring story dad  :tup:  And big congratz to her for the effort, fine shooting and dandy bull!

Offline johnnyaustin44

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #27 on: November 07, 2016, 10:41:07 PM »
Nice work!!

Offline TVHunts

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #28 on: November 08, 2016, 03:31:15 AM »
Great story and great ending.  Congrats to her and you, what an accomplishment.
Model 600's are an awesome set up!
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Offline Jpmiller

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #29 on: November 08, 2016, 06:43:47 AM »
Five elk in two years? I hope you have plenty of freezer space sir! Great couple years for your family congrats.

Offline X-Force

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #30 on: November 08, 2016, 06:51:10 AM »
Cool story. Congrats.
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Offline Lefthook

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #31 on: November 08, 2016, 09:46:32 AM »
That is great to see. It won't be long before she is putting you on Elk and running your a** ragged. You had better keep up on your workout routine, or kick back like an old man as she goes out and nocks 'em down left and right. lol

That is so cool for you two, must feel real good. I hope you guys have many more seasons like the last two. Good luck in all your outdoor quests.  8)

Lefthook

Offline DOUBLELUNG

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #32 on: November 08, 2016, 09:57:04 AM »
That's the good stuff. 
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline millerwheeler

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #33 on: November 08, 2016, 04:28:34 PM »
So awesome congrates

Offline King Krok

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #34 on: November 08, 2016, 05:23:44 PM »
That's AWESOME!!! Great job and congrats. Way to go!!!


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Offline brew

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #35 on: November 08, 2016, 05:29:58 PM »
sweet
beer---it's whats for dinner

Offline steen

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #36 on: November 08, 2016, 05:44:46 PM »
That is pretty cool.....coming from a fellow inhaler needer. Lol  I'd leave mine behind too! Adrenalin is all ya need!

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #37 on: November 08, 2016, 06:26:30 PM »
Thanks for sharing a great story. What a memory and great teamwork.  👍👊
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Offline Rainier10

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #38 on: November 08, 2016, 06:33:04 PM »
Thanks guys. I am so proud of her and how she pushed through. Both of my girls are troopers. They are the motivation behind my signature line, pain is temporary and I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it. Both of those statements actually came from them.

If you read my thread about my youngest daughter's muzzleloader deer hunt where she texted Jackelope saying "I'll never give up" you see how focused they are. They are both strong minded girls that are motivated to succeed no matter what effort it takes on their part.

I know I have something to do with that but I also think it is just the way they are wired as well. A natural drive that they were just born with.

Thanks for all the kind comments, I am relaying them all to her.
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

Every father should remember that one day his children will follow his example instead of his advice.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

Offline bear hunter

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Re: What a trooper
« Reply #39 on: November 08, 2016, 09:59:11 PM »
 :tup:  :llam: Wow great story and memorys  contrats on a great first spike.
Boar looking for Sow to hunt with. LOL

 


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