Well all, the weekend hunt camp is completed for this opening weekend hunt. This is a long post, you've been warned! I figured I would spread the word and post some pictures. Kim, I didn't post any pictures of the animal that was taken out of respect to your wishes. Having hunted 18 years of my life I guess I find it hard to understand where hunting ISN'T popular! But hunting isn't popular over there? Wow, no wonder the Terminator became Governor! Well, here's the story morning glory.
Pull up a seat and sit on the floor, admission is free, so pay at the door.
Arrival to the camp happened on the 14th mid day. After setting up the trailer, and taking the rifles and food into it, Joe (my buddy) and I went scouting. Twas some great scouting, hiked about 10 miles or so in and around the woods. Joe had invited a friend of his up to hunt with us, so we were looking for a prime spot for Lynn (guys name.. Yes.. Joes' friend) to hunt. Lynn had never hunted before, had never seen a deer up close, except while driving,and his wife gave him permission to only hunt 1/2 of a day. Now, Joe and I thought it would be nice to put Lynn in a probably area to find a deer, since it was a first time event and Joe and I had more time to hunt. Figured Lynn would be lucky if he pulled out a 3x3 or similar (out here in the midwest they call that a 6 point. Home in Oregon, is a 3x3 or a 3 point).
So, after a few hours of scouting I find a spot that looks great. I had seen deer there last year or the year before, I don't recall if I even hunted last year. I really don't remember much of last year, but I am more than aware it occured. Back to present day however! Put up the ground blind, found a probable spot for Joe to hunt and we spooked a buck out of that canyon when we walked into it. So was looking good for chances. Mind you, I've hunted for 18 years now. Joe for 2 Lynn for -1 day, so I was just hoping to get them a deer, and not worry about one for myself. A lot of the thrill for hunting now days for me, is to see the look on a new hunters face after their first deer. We went out of the woods, found Lynn and then showed him where we had him set up. Oh my.. Did he complain, the area "didn't look right" from what he had seen online, he didn't like the lines of approach, didn't like the gun Joe was loaning him for the hunt. I kept my peace, as it was a first time hunt, and I DID really want it to go well for him.
Speed ahead through a night filled with campfires and 18 packs (yes mom, soda's, really!) Now it is 5:15 in the morning. Snow had fallen, and it was time to go hunting. I didn't want to leave the trailer (it was 60 inside and 28 outside. you do the math!) but I did, and we headed out. Joe and I went and walked Lynn to his spot, Joe headed towards his canyon and I started out on my trek across the country.
8:40 I see my first doe. Now this doe was of great stature, however I couldn't legally take a doe in that county, so I didn't worry about her. 9:30, second doe through the basin I was setting at the top of. 85 yards, no wind, light snow, simple shot, only if she had horns. I watched her as she bounced around through the basin, jumping and almost playing with the snow. She never even knew I was near, and ran off up the hill.
10:30 am 15-Nov-2008. This is the time I normally call it a morning and begin to think of heading back to camp for breakfast/lunch and something to drink (coffee or cocoa, I never combine alcohol and firearms.. although I have seen it many times growing up with MY uncles...) I make the hike about 2 miles uphill towards where Lynn is, and BOOM. Ok. Now is the time to reconsider walking near a new hunters zone. I duck and cover and wait to see if he really is shooting towards the sound (many hunters die each year because of new hunters or hunters with "buck fever" shooting at sounds). A moment later I hear the zipper of his blind, so I call out that I'm nearby and have more guns than him. I walk towards his blind, and not more than 30 yards is this TROPHY BUCK. 5x6 or as they say 11 point out here. I was SO excited for him and glad that he did get a chance. I was so thrilled (honestly) to have provided him with the location and chance for this. And to have a Buck of a lifetme handed to him! How amazing!
Now comes the point where I start losing respect for the guy. Sadly, I knew that he had never field dressed an animal, he'd never hunted. So I prepared to teach him, as we had discussed the night before. Thats when he suddenly catches the flu and can't do anything. So I field dress it for him. I tell him of the traditions of the People and what he should do with his first kill to Honor the life of the deer who had given his life to feed the family of the hunter. He says that he won't have anything to do with the traditions. So, now, I have given him the location, the deer, field dressed it, and have had my beliefs slapped in my face? Ok.. I'll let it go, as he knows no better. Now he has a 3 mile deer drag to the vehicle. Now this buck was in the 200 lb range after field dressing. After a few minutes of him complaining about how he felt, I offered my help again to help him drag. See, I am a great guy!
3 miles up hills and down hills, around fallen trees and over fallen trees later, we arrive at the truck. By then Bobby (a mutual friend of Joe and mine whom I worked with and have adopted him as my brother) called and was near the camp site. So I left Joe and Lynn to get the buck in the truck, and as I am leaving I am hearing Lynn talk about how much work it was to get the amazing Buck that every other hunter in the woods was drooling over. I am not going to say I wasn't a little jealous, or envious of the deer, but I had asked for him to get a deer, and it was done. So Jealousy wasn't really the issue here, but to hear about how rough he had it, was a little much for me.
Bobby Joe and I hunted that night, the next day and then Bobby and I came home today, leaving Joe up there to hunt a few more days. All in all I see it as a great camping/hunting trip with friends and a friend of a friend. It's just amazing the lack of gratitude that can be shown for being provided the hunt of a lifetime. Although I did not do it for the thanks, that was 150 lbs of steaks that we gave him, placed upon his lap, and our payment in return? Not even a thank you. As a courtesy, I ask of you, if you are ever lucky enough to be in this position, remember your manners and you may get invited back, instead of hunt camp banned.
