Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: highside74 on November 08, 2019, 11:49:05 PM

Title: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: highside74 on November 08, 2019, 11:49:05 PM: My 11 year old was able to put it all together tonight and harvest this dandy 5 point on a friends property. We were there this morning and weren't able to get on him before we were already late for school. So we backed out and came back just before 4pm. We worked through the area that we left him after his last bugle in the morning. Tonight we got the wind in our favor after hearing a faint bugle from the same area. As we worked through the open reprod choked with pockets of scotch broom and sticker bushes we heard cows mewing to our right and out about 60 to 80 yards. Thinking the whole herd was over there, we picked our way left and forward keeping the wind in our favor. Unfortunately the herd was actually moving from left to right slightly spread out and there were 2 cows that saw us at about 40 yards. I reached back and grabbed my Sons hand to hold him still as the stare down started. It lasted about a minute or so until they got nervous and ran to the right with a branched bull and spike right behind them. The herd ran out aways where we could not see them and we sat still for about five minutes until the bull started barking at us. I knew he never saw us when the cows ran so he was just trying to figure out what was going on. I gave him a few cow calls and we backed out the way we came and moved to the right and up the gravel road to see if we might be able to cut them off. The sun went down enough the the wind switched directions and allowed us to completely work around the backside of the 80 acre chunk of the approximately 200 acre piece of property. At this point we had a slight idea where they might be so we worked in on a nice game trail and we shortly heard some sticks and a few chirps to our right. Not where I thought they would be but very close. Less than 60 on the other side of the brush and 20 foot tall reprod. We discussed what we should do and my son said we should move up the trail to our left to the edge of the fir tree clump and stop there to see if we could get eyes on them. I thought that was a great idea and I told him he should lead. As we moved to the edge of the clump of trees and looked to the right he saw 2 cows. We slowly scanned the area to find the other elk but they were hidden from view. The cows saw us and started to spook taking the herd with them from right to left moving away. We got a good look at the bull and I told my boy to hurry up the trail to try and get a shot at the next opening. With cat like reflexes he moved through and up the trail quickly flanking the herd as they came to a stop in a good opening less than 100 yards away. I pointed out the bull and he said he had him in his scope. The cows were stirring and I told him he wasn't going to have much time as the cows cleared from behind him I told him to shoot if he had a shot. The 7mm08 with 140 grain Barnes TTSX barked and the cows scattered I didn't see the bull go down and my son says he folded him. I said are you sure? He said yes he went down so we moved closer and sure enough we could see his rack moving as he was expiring I asked my son if he wanted to back out and let him expire or get closer and shoot him again. He chose to shoot him again to make it a quick death. We were ecstatic. My little boy said dad can I scream? I said of course and he let out a big woohoo. After poking him to make sure he was expired he put his hands on his first big game animal. A beautiful 5x5 with a devil time on his right side. We sent pictures to mom and uncle and other friends and family. He was over come with so much happy emotion and excitement at what he had just accomplished that he knelt behind the bull and started to cry. I could not have been more proud of him in that moment. I didn't say a word I just let him feel all his feelings but I did snap a couple pics that I think will be my favorite for the rest of my life. Tears of joy streaming down his face kneeling behind the bull just soaking in his amazing hunt. He called his uncle and could barely talk through his tears it was almost uncontrollable. He called his mom and she thought he was sad and mom was very confused. I had to tell her it was all from happy emotions not sad ones. After some friends showed we snapped some father son picks and got to work with the processing. We were home around 10pm and we are still on cloud 9.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Dan-o on November 08, 2019, 11:56:25 PM: AWESOME!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: b23 on November 09, 2019, 12:05:06 AM: Best write up I've read in some time, congrats!!! :tup:
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: HntnFsh on November 09, 2019, 05:50:03 AM: That is beyond awesome! I can see why those pics will keep the memories fresh forever! Congratulations to your son!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Watimberghost on November 09, 2019, 06:00:35 AM: This is just too cool! Congrats to your son and to you pops! That's a great experience and a moment that will last a lifetime!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: opdinkslayer on November 09, 2019, 06:04:22 AM: :tup: congrats to the young man & dad for having that experience that established you a lifelong hunting partner!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: 257wbymagkiller on November 09, 2019, 06:20:02 AM: Congratulations to him on taking an awesome bull!!!!!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Okanagan on November 09, 2019, 06:39:07 AM: Powerful story, best read in ages. Congratulations!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: SniperDanWA on November 09, 2019, 06:48:00 AM: Quote from: Dan-o on November 08, 2019, 11:56:25 PM
AWESOME!!!!!!!!

:yeah:Awesome to the nth degree! Congratulations!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: grundy53 on November 09, 2019, 06:49:44 AM: That is great! Congratulations!

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Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on November 09, 2019, 06:56:59 AM: It's great to see we have a fresh crop of new hunters carrying on the tradition of hunting. Thanks for letting us tag along.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: TVHunts on November 09, 2019, 07:00:26 AM: Awesome! Congrats to the both of you!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Harbor_hunter on November 09, 2019, 07:03:48 AM: That is super cool, nice bull!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on November 09, 2019, 07:39:18 AM: Congratulations to the hunter! Great job as back-up as well, DAD!!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Turner89 on November 09, 2019, 07:56:26 AM: That was very cool. :tup:
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Bushcraft on November 09, 2019, 08:05:25 AM: Excellent. You've done many things right as a father. Congratulations!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: gaddy on November 09, 2019, 08:09:31 AM: Well done young man and dad !! Think I'd blow those pict's up and mount them on the wall next to the rack.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: deerlick on November 09, 2019, 08:55:19 AM: Thats awesome!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on November 09, 2019, 08:58:58 AM: :tup:
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 09, 2019, 09:03:07 AM: How cool is that :tup: Congrats to the the young man and his partner.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Buckjunkie on November 09, 2019, 09:04:34 AM: Great story and congratulations to the hunter!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: bornhunter on November 09, 2019, 09:19:01 AM: Really great story! Great job. For that young man to have those emotions means a lot. Good to know he will be part of the next generation of hunters and will be a good one.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 09, 2019, 09:22:34 AM: Great write-up and amazing first animal. Well done young man!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Widgeondeke on November 09, 2019, 09:28:27 AM: The was a great read while standing by the campfire and drinking coffee.
Thanks for sharing and CONGRATS to the young hunter.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Kamo2112 on November 09, 2019, 09:41:36 AM: Wow! What a great story all around. Congrats on the memories!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: rainshadow1 on November 09, 2019, 10:50:33 AM: Way to go, Dad! Kid hunting is the toughest... and the best! Yours will be similar to mine, one of my lifelong memories, he said... "I feel like yelling!" (Whitetail doe, my son was 8, five years ago!)

Thanks for posting!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Pegasus on November 09, 2019, 11:32:47 AM: Lucky son, lucky dad. Good job, dad!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: elkrack on November 09, 2019, 11:41:04 AM: What a great story! Congrats :tup:
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: highside74 on November 09, 2019, 11:41:23 AM: I just read to my wife what I wrote about the hunt last night and I started crying. Man I love this stuff. Thanks for all the kind words.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: wheels on November 09, 2019, 12:06:25 PM: awesome
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: hunting4sanity on November 09, 2019, 12:09:28 PM: Great looking bull and an adventure that provided life-long memories for both of you - it just doesn't get any better than that!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: ThurstonCokid on November 09, 2019, 12:15:06 PM: Great story and bull! Thanks for posting

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Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: link69sws on November 09, 2019, 12:59:38 PM: I am lucky enough to get to watch these two as they grow as hunting partners. That little redheaded kid is gonna be a great hunter. He has the best natural eye for spotting game i have ever seen. He is not afraid to go into the nastiest of holes and can follow a blood trail where his colorblind dad and colorblind uncle have trouble. Our family's heritage of hunting and conservation is in good hands.
I am a very proud Uncle and Brother.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: highside74 on November 09, 2019, 01:33:59 PM: Quote from: link69sws on November 09, 2019, 12:59:38 PM
I am lucky enough to get to watch these two as they grow as hunting partners. That little redheaded kid is gonna be a great hunter. He has the best natural eye for spotting game i have ever seen. He is not afraid to go into the nastiest of holes and can follow a blood trail where his colorblind dad and colorblind uncle have trouble. Our family's heritage of hunting and conservation is in good hands.
I am a very proud Uncle and Brother.

What, it takes your nephew killing an elk for you to finally join the forum? :tup:

Great first post. Love you brother
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: MarkTrail on November 09, 2019, 01:59:50 PM: I cannot say congrats enough! What a great moment that will live forever between you guys. This stuff makes America great!!!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Ironhead on November 09, 2019, 02:05:35 PM: Good stuff right there, congratulations to the young man and his Dad!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: natural born killer on November 09, 2019, 05:30:48 PM: Great job! congrats, brings back memories and emotions.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Jimmybelltown on November 09, 2019, 05:59:20 PM: Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. :tup:
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: millerwheeler on November 09, 2019, 06:22:48 PM: THIS IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT !!!! THANKS FOR SHARING SO COOL
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Whitpirate on November 09, 2019, 07:01:45 PM: These are the days when it is all worth it as a Dad, and a fellow hunter. It was 4 years ago yesterday my son shot his first elk. Precious memories and a life well lived I say. All the best to the newest hunter in the family!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: lewy on November 09, 2019, 07:09:55 PM: :tup:
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Mulie87 on November 09, 2019, 07:16:13 PM: Great story. You two will have that memory forever. Very powerful. I’m happy for you two👍
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: kodiak06 on November 09, 2019, 07:38:43 PM: congrats
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: L8NITE on November 09, 2019, 08:25:00 PM: Great story and pics...thank you for sharing :tup:Congrats to the young man and dad as well for getting him out there and teaching him!!!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Sutherland on November 09, 2019, 08:59:05 PM: Incredible story! So awesome! Congratulations you guys! :tup:
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Tiger01 on November 09, 2019, 10:01:24 PM: Great job dad! Perfect in every way!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: JakeLand on November 10, 2019, 07:05:29 AM: Wow !!! Congrats to all of you !!!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Jamieb on November 10, 2019, 12:41:48 PM: Very cool
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: highside74 on November 10, 2019, 01:05:25 PM: My son really likes reading all of your comments. Thank you for all your kind words.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Pinetar on November 10, 2019, 05:27:31 PM: So Awesome, great bull and smile. Congrats to you both!!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: brokentrail on November 10, 2019, 05:47:13 PM: A hunt neither of you will ever forget!! Congrats. Great job young man!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: blacktailer on November 11, 2019, 10:30:45 AM: Awesome. Nice job
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Rainier10 on November 11, 2019, 10:49:07 AM: Great write up. I was away this weekend and wondered how this ended up. Congrats to you both.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: OutHouse on November 11, 2019, 11:12:23 AM: I think this is the best success write up I have ever read on this sight. Thanks for sharing and congratulations to both of you!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: powderbounder on November 12, 2019, 05:01:06 AM: That’s awesome right there! :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: Way to go for the little man. He has a seasoned teacher.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 12, 2019, 07:11:52 AM: Pretty dang awesome! Good work dad and congrats on a fine trophy young man!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: C-Money on November 12, 2019, 08:43:25 AM: Wow! So cool! Nice going young man! Congrats on your elk!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: bracer40 on November 12, 2019, 10:09:26 AM: Awesome story and pics. The one of your son expressing his emotions is priceless.

I’ve been hunting since I could walk with my dad (nearly 60 yrs) and I still find the first few moments with a big game animal at my feet is a somber time...don’t get me wrong, there’s still loads of elation, relief, excitement, but taking a life is something that still moves me.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on November 12, 2019, 01:40:59 PM: Congrats to dad and the young man! Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: 7mmfan on November 12, 2019, 01:45:57 PM: Quote from: bracer40 on November 12, 2019, 10:09:26 AM
Awesome story and pics. The one of your son expressing his emotions is priceless.

I’ve been hunting since I could walk with my dad (nearly 60 yrs) and I still find the first few moments with a big game animal at my feet is a somber time...don’t get me wrong, there’s still loads of elation, relief, excitement, but taking a life is something that still moves me.

Same here, at it always should. It shows we're human and that we have respect and admiration for the animals we kill. Good on the kiddo for letting it flow, it's a good thing :)
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: highside74 on November 12, 2019, 02:05:14 PM: Quote from: 7mmfan on November 12, 2019, 01:45:57 PM
Quote from: bracer40 on November 12, 2019, 10:09:26 AM
Awesome story and pics. The one of your son expressing his emotions is priceless.

I’ve been hunting since I could walk with my dad (nearly 60 yrs) and I still find the first few moments with a big game animal at my feet is a somber time...don’t get me wrong, there’s still loads of elation, relief, excitement, but taking a life is something that still moves me.

Same here, at it always should. It shows we're human and that we have respect and admiration for the animals we kill. Good on the kiddo for letting it flow, it's a good thing :)

I'm glad you guys wrote this and he will see it. Because he wasn't happy that I wrote about and put the picture of him crying in the story. He is a tough kid and he thought it made him look not so cool. I told him it will be my favorite part for the rest of my life and that many men reading this will feel the same way. He relaxed after that.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: ljsommer on November 19, 2019, 07:14:15 AM: I've had this tab open to read for days, and I just read it. As a father myself I can't imagine the enormity of that moment. It sounds like you handled it perfectly, allowing him time to walk through his own emotions. Well done dad, well done son. Great write-up and thank you for sharing!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Okanagan on November 19, 2019, 08:13:42 AM: Quote from: highside74 on November 12, 2019, 02:05:14 PM
Quote from: 7mmfan on November 12, 2019, 01:45:57 PM
Quote from: bracer40 on November 12, 2019, 10:09:26 AM
Awesome story and pics. The one of your son expressing his emotions is priceless.

I’ve been hunting since I could walk with my dad (nearly 60 yrs) and I still find the first few moments with a big game animal at my feet is a somber time...don’t get me wrong, there’s still loads of elation, relief, excitement, but taking a life is something that still moves me.

Same here, at it always should. It shows we're human and that we have respect and admiration for the animals we kill. Good on the kiddo for letting it flow, it's a good thing :)

I'm glad you guys wrote this and he will see it. Because he wasn't happy that I wrote about and put the picture of him crying in the story. He is a tough kid and he thought it made him look not so cool. I told him it will be my favorite part for the rest of my life and that many men reading this will feel the same way. He relaxed after that.

Absolutely! Healthy adult men have emotions, and only psychos don't. Our culture prompts us to not show emotions much, but they are there. In the right place, alone with an animal and your Dad, what a perfect time and place to be open with them. I'd be more concerned for him if he did not have some emotions about killing a big animal.

Along that line, I wrote once in a solo backpack hunting thread that as it gets dark on such hunts, I feel lonesome and kind of depressed. The replies were a torrent of men saying things like, "Me too, but I didn't think it was OK to say so!"
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Fl0und3rz on November 19, 2019, 08:16:43 AM: Wow! Very nice. Way to go, Dad.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Elkpiss on November 21, 2019, 10:53:53 AM: That is so awesome, I cant wait to experince this with my boys.. My 8 year old son was with me when i killed my dear this year and that was a special moment, i will devote my entire hunting seasons to get my kids there first animals to experience that moment you did.. thanks for sharing, i love reading these kinds of post.. soooooo cool.. :kneel: :kneel:
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: highbuckklr on November 22, 2019, 10:57:43 AM: one word "AWESOME"!!!
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: Ghost Hunter on November 22, 2019, 11:57:50 AM: Quote from: HntnFsh on November 09, 2019, 05:50:03 AM
That is beyond awesome! I can see why those pics will keep the memories fresh forever! Congratulations to your son!

All that. :yeah: First time youth hunters get my heart feeling good. Congrats to him and your teaching him.
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: JWEBB on November 24, 2019, 10:44:22 PM: So cool!!! :tup:
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: boneaddict on November 25, 2019, 05:01:48 AM: Awesome :tup:
Title: Re: My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal
Post by: stew pidasso on November 25, 2019, 06:26:21 PM: Great job dad