Way to go Shrap!
A similar tale unfolded the other night regarding elk, frontal shots and good friends showing up to help out.
I was in Utah, Mike (son #1) was in Alaska and Zack (son #2) was in Idaho, hunting alone. We were group texting:
Me at 7:20pm "OK, Zack. It's magic hour. Kill one before I get there tomorrow and have to help pack out."
Mike at 7:25 "Shoot the big one."
Zack at 7:45 "Just smacked a spike." (with only a few days to hunt before we headed to Alaska, he thought he'd better get it done)
Me at 7:46 "Throat shot?" (teasing him because the last one he shot was facing straight on and died within 30 yards)
Zack at 7:47 "Yes, actually."
8:15 this pic came, "Didn't go 20 yards":
I had familiar mixed emotions about being so happy for Zack but not being there to help out. He send a text to a cousin who was soon on the way with some friends. While he was removing quarters and waiting for help to arrive, he sent this text:
"I don't do this enough to get very good at it. I need someone to hold the legs and yell at me." We laughed, remembering critters past when that I'm sure I wasn't the most patient teacher as my boys grew into men.
Mike texted: "Just realized holding the legs up is similar to holding your wife's leg when she's giving birth. And I've been yelled at while doing both." Man I laughed out loud.
Soon help arrived and they had it out and on ice in good time. Lucky because the heat's been unreal so far.
We got up there the next day and got it cut, wrapped and frozen. Zack's two for two on throat shots, in case your wondering about
Penetration