Soooooo close!!

[mthillrunner]

My oldest turned 12 this spring so this is his first year elk hunting MT. He will get few hunts with his busy schedule. I took him out this evening. Lots of sign, zero talk from the elk. We walked in 1.5 miles & sat for awhile. About 6:30 I told him get ready I was going to call. I told him where the elk was likely to come if one did. “Got it dad”. “You sure”. “Yup”. I gave a few calls and could hear one coming at full speed. I told him to draw, he froze. A yearling stopped broadside at 20 yds...for a minute...and walked off. He turns to me shaking almost in tears. I said draw, gave one call & it spun around & stopped broadside at 20 yds again. He had drawn, and took the shot. He missed low, she trotted off. He was shaking like a leaf. This time when he turned he had a huge smile. “Dad, that was awesome!” Apparently we’re going again next Sunday. I drew a sheep tag this fall so archery elk will be sparse this year. I have a feeling we’ll be bow hunting elk every available second!

 

[Sawtooth]

Sounds like you have a hunting partner for life. Good on you Dad. Great memories ahead.

 

[Hem]

He has time. I froze in my twenties when my first bull walked by at 5 yds.

 

[Lone Elk]

Awesome experience ! Keep us updated on how this season goes for him. And you with your sheep hunt.

 

[Trial153]

My son is seven. He is always taging along with me. I am looking forward to when his is old enough to hunt, however I also don’t want him to grow up too fast.
Enjoy it !

 

[CATAHOULA12]

Time well spent with your son! Great experience for both! I remember I froze up on my first deer with archery equipment. It happens. Thanks for sharing!

 

[MT_elk]

That's awesome! Hunting with your kids is always a joy!

 

[kansasdad]

A day that will live long in both your lives! Congratulations on the first of many many adrenaline rushes.

 

[noharleyyet]

The thrill of archery elk at 12 has to be off the charts. Way to get him out dad.

 

[mthillrunner]

For lack of a better phrase he was just in awe. I can’t wait to take him in a couple weeks for a day when the bulls are going crazy! I’ll gladly give up a day or 2 of sheep hunting for that with him.

 

[VAspeedgoat]

Awesome post, keep us updated. That had to be a great feeling

 

[3855WIN]

That's awesome!

 

[PeteTheBeat]

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome... Good luck down the road. I'm sure he's hooked for life!

 

[Anschutz]

I can tell you from a son's perspective that the memory of his first hunt will stay with him forever. I can still remember the first hunt I went on with my dad 20 years after the fact.

 

[Dan O]

It's great to hunt with your kids, that way you don't have to hunt for them. Your building life long memory's and building traditions. It doesn't get better than that.

Dan