Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Rowdy tags his first elk

My son turned 12 this summer, which meant he would finally be able to hunt big-game in Idaho. I'm not sure which of us was more excited at the prospect, but it was a close race for sure.

He applied for an early season cow tag, and was successful in the application process. I didn't particularly relish the idea of hunting in August, but our schedules dictated as much this year.

We started scouting in July, and the initial signs weren't great. There were a few elk in the unit, but not a lot by any stretch of the imagination. Worse still, IDFG had doubled the number of tags from the previous year and it seemed like all of southern Idaho was scouting/hunting with us.

Opening weekend came and went without much happening. Here he is getting his first peek at the area we would primarily concentrate on...



Its not flat country,



and Rowdy soon came to know the value of some tape on the heels..



He hiked his azz off, and I couldn't have been prouder of the fortitude he showed over the course of the season. Still though, he's just 12 and there were times the country got the better of him...



We hunted and scouted for three straight weekends, giving it all we had. Other camps were still cold and dark when we passed them in the mornings, and when we returned to camp in the evening via headlamps, most were already done with supper and settled into slumber.

Labor Day weekend would be the last opportunity we had to make a go of it. He had an invite to leave town with a buddy for a holiday weekend of fun, or return for some more misery on the mountain with me. I didn't pressure him one way or the other, but in the end I was proud of him for embracing the opportunity for one last chance at his first elk.

We headed up Friday as soon as school let out, and were on the mountain by dark looking for elk. We managed to spot a bull and four cows/calves right at dark, but they were at least two miles away and there just wasn't enough light left to get on them. Saturday morning didn't reveal anything, and we decided to push deeper into the country on Saturday evening.

We made it over to the area we had spotted them from the day before, but alas we weren't able to locate any where we got there. With the sun starting to settle, we packed up and started the long hike out. There was maybe 30 minutes of light left as we started up the last big hill and I caught a whiff of elk scent. I stopped in my tracks and tried to locate the direction of the evening thermals when Rowdy said, "Dad! There's an elk!". I looked up the draw to the direction he was pointing just in time to see a rag-horn bull step into the timber about 150 yards above us.

He didn't seem particularly spooked, so we started up the drainage towards where he had gone as quickly and quietly as we could. When we arrived, I pointed out his tracks to Rowdy and was talking to him about the whole incident when I heard a branch break off to our left, down in some thick aspens. I had a hunch what was about to happen and dropped down on one knee and spread the shooting sticks out as quickly as I could.

Seconds later a cow and calf exploded out from just underneath us and started up the hill. They were in the open at about 100 yards, but moving fast. I started "mewing" with my mouth as best I could, and to my utter amazement, they stopped just as they hit the thick timber. The cow was mostly covered by two trees, but there was a VERY narrow window to shoot through from my perspective. Rowdy found her in the scope, and asked if I was SURE it was a cow. I responded that I was, and asked if he thought he could make the shot. He nodded his head, and flipped the safety off as further confirmation. A second later his 7mm-08 barked.

The whole incident had occurred over the course of maybe 15 seconds. The cow immediately turned to run downhill, and I could see she was in trouble right away. She managed to make it about 40 yards before she went down, but was still trying to regain her footing when Rowdy finished her off with two more follow-up shots. The last two were unnecessary in hindsight, but if they're still alive it's been my experience it's a good idea to keep shooting.

Here is the photo of him seconds after the shot...



When the reality set in of what he'd done, we hugged each other for what seemed like an eternity. I may have enjoyed happier moments in my life, but I'll be damned if I can recall one right now.

Light was fading fast, so I snapped a couple of pictures before the opportunity was lost.



We quartered her by headlamp, and he was a great assistant in the process. He asked lots of questions, and I feel really good about how much he learned about breaking an elk down. We had the quarters hanging by 10:00 that night, and started up the hill shortly thereafter. It was close to midnight when we arrived back at camp.

We slept in until about 7:00 the next morning, and headed back with packframes on and our bellies full of a good breakfast. Here he is when we arrive...

[img]http://s25.postimg.org/w8qi3a8xr/image.jpg[/img]

The first few steps downhill were a little wobbly, but he managed to keep his footing and quickly adjusted to the reality of the weight upon his back...

[img]http://s25.postimg.org/3ls377xz3/image.jpg[/img]

He would soon realize that going down was much preferred to climbing up with that same load.

[img]http://s25.postimg.org/vfdwao2wv/image.jpg[/img]

It wasn't an easy climb, but once again he proved his mettle by not whining even once. He kept his head down and grinded it out just like every elk hunter before him.

Arrival at the top of the hill was a welcome respite, even if his expression doesn't reflect it.

[img]http://s25.postimg.org/e4nhinb9b/image.jpg[/img]

That last climb out felt like we were summiting Everest, and was just as satisfying when we made it to the top.

After a drink of water to replenish our lost fluids, we continued on towards camp. It was all downhill from there, and the last leg of the haul was considerably easier.

After a bite to eat in camp, we headed back to repeat the whole process again. It was just as miserable/rewarding the second time, though our packs felt just a little bit lighter knowing it was the last load.

With the last two quarters loaded into the coolers, we packed up camp and headed south for home. It had been a long 24 hours, and sleep took hold of him on the three hour drive back.

It's tough to accurately convey my feelings in writing, but I will say that my heart has never felt fuller as I gazed at my sleeping son during the drive home. We managed to get the meat dropped off at the butcher late last night, and he is sleeping in as I type the account this morning. He needs to get the lawn mowed today, but I think maybe I'll give him a few more minutes. I think he's earned it.

Dave

Very cool. Congrats to you both.

I am so tickled for both of you. Well earned, and thanks for sharing.

Well earned indeed! He experienced it all and especially, "hard work pays off"....
There are a great deal of life lessons in hunting.

Knuckle bump to Rowdy and to pops.

Right on! Congrats to both of you!

Great story. I really enjoy hearing about our youth getting after it. Congrats.

Wayne

What a great story!! Thank you so much for telling it, for posting pics. The wind must have blown a little dirt in my eyes...

Well done, dad and son!

Outstanding.
Thanks for sharing that.
Well done, by the both of you.

A Big Congrads to you Both! Great story, and Big Cow! too Cool!

Very cool. I can only hope that my son takes to it like yours obviously has

Great story and a great hunt. Congrats to the young man!!

nicely done

Very proud dad! I'm certain he will never forget this opportunity, and most likely you have a hunting partner for life! My 83 year old best friend thought me how to hunt 30 years ago, to this day I follow after his footsteps. It's an honor! Congratulations to both of you, and meat in the freezer.

Great story and pictures. Congratulations!

That's what it is all about.

Congrats to both of you.

congrats on a good hunt!!

Great story and pics, thanks for sharing.

Dale

That is just fantastic. Beautiful country.

Great story and pictures. Looks like a lot of hard work and fun. Congrats to your son and you.

iddave;
Thanks so much for sharing this special family hunt and moment with us sir, to me it's some of the finest we are privileged to share here at the 'Fire.

Please extend hearty congratulations to your son on the fine shooting and tasty looking elk.

I'll send you a tip of the hat too as these moments don't come by themselves. Well done sir.

Thanks again and all the best to you all on the remainder of your hunts this fall.

Dwayne

OUTSTANDING! Job WELL DONE Rowdy and GOOD on you DAD for showing him the way.

Congrats to the both of you and WELL done for getting your son into the outdoors. I'll bet he is hooked for life.

Fantastic!

You two guys earned yourself the memory of a lifetime there.

Great job Rowdy!

Congrats!

Superb story, thanks for sharing. Loved reading it, both as a father and beginning hunter.

Hope to get out to area 18 soon.

Cool story, I'm sure he'll enjoy looking back at the pics when he gets older.

Congrats!

Dink

WAY COOL Dave! Congrats to Rowdy!!

Excellent! I guess Rowdy hasn't read on here to learn that the 7-08 won't cut it for elk...lol.

Congrats all around! Thanks for the great write-up and pictures.

It doesn't get any better than this does it?
Congratulations for Rowdy on a hard hunt well done, and the same to you for being there to guide him in his fledgling hunting career.
I remember doing those things with my Dad starting with my carrying my Sheridan Blue Streak for a couple of deer seasons. I was 8 or 9 when we started doing this, and by the time I was legal to hunt deer with a rifle at 14 I took a 6-point buck on opening morning with a '95 Mauser in 7x57.
These are the things that stand out in a young person's eyes, and I can see by your son's demeanor, he is a hunter for life.

Good times!

very very cool!

I'll bet that's the story of the year for me! Brings back memories of my son and I. Looks like you got a damn good hunting buddy for life!

Congrats to both of you!

Good job!

Great job!

Some good stuff there.

Congrats to Rowdy!

A great story and a great little man, my congratulations to you both. !!!!!

What a fantastic story! Thank you for the post and congrats to you and Rowdy! If that's not what it's all about, then I don't know what is. Good on the two of you!!

Great story!

Now that is just awesome! Congrats and I love seeing them kids crashed out, builds character.

Thank you for sharing such a great story and pictures. Congratulations to the both of you!

Absolutely super job! Congrats to the both of you. I'm waiting as patiently as possible for a day like that with each of my sons.

Congrats to you both!! Really a great story & pictures. And also good deal on the caliber used - isn't that quickly becoming the official Campfire caliber:) Gotta love the 7MM-08 and kids - deadly combo in game.

Dave

Looks like I'm late to the party. Congratulations to Rowdy and to you, too! Nothing like having your son get his first big game animal.

Good choot'n Rowdy!

Paul

Gentlemen,

Thank you all for the kind words. I passed on all the "congrats" to Rowdy from the Campfire, at the risk of giving him a fat head.

Last night at dinner he made a reference to "providing for the family now". He said it mostly in jest and his mama and I had a good laugh, but I know there was a grain of truth to his words and how proud he really is.

I'm even more proud of what he does away from hunting. He is a straight A student, two-way starter in football, has a faith in God that I only dream of having, and is just generally a cool little chit to be around. He shakes hands like a man, and looks you in the eye when he does it.

In the interest of full disclosure, his mama gets most of the credit for how well he's turned out...though I was smart enough to marry her and have her mother my kids.

Dave

Well DONE!!

Love the pic of him sleeping. Been there done that! Congrats.

Great story and great kid. And tough too. Congrats to both of you.

Great story. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Great story and thanks for sharing!

That's freaking awesome.... my boy is 18 months old, and I can not wait until I get to experience that with him.

Congratulations to both of you! You are fortunate to have the experience with your son. Reminds me of a mule deer hunt with my son when he was 13, he repaid the favor many times over, including helping to pack my elk out last year. Look forward to the times ahead with Rowdy and always remember this hunt! He sure will.

Great experience!

Cool dad, lucky kid and strong too! What a gift to give your son.

mike r

Great story, congratulations to Rowdy.

Good job men!

Pretty cool.....congrats

Dave, how awesome is that, congrats to Rowdy and his old man, well done! Also thanks for putting up those great pictures, they'll be looked at by you guys for many years to come!

Nice,

Why did you carry the bones out?

HUGE +1 to this. Fantastic work to father & son! Love it; my son is just now getting to the age where we can do this. Great encouragement for both of us; keep up the great work!

The more butchering I do in the field, the less meat I tend to end up with in the freezer. YMMV of course.

Dave

Wow, what an exciting adventure. Thanks for letting us in on it. Your pride e is showing, and well deserved.