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Beginners Luck

By Sean Morris’ Dad

(Editors note: Many times when we get a story like this to post the writer is so stoked over the youngsters success that they forget to sign the piece. But, maybe that is how it should be. It isn’t about a byline but passing on a heritage. So thank you for writing this Sean Morris’ Dad? Mentor?? Whoever you are.)

Out of the Blue, Sean asked if we could put in for some big game hunts this year.  Of course!  I immediately started explaining to him the permit process that we would be going through in order to prepare him for the disappointments that would certainly follow. You see, Sean (18) is epileptic. To keep him stable, we always prepare him for disappointment as well as success.  A Change in Medication this year has allowed him to be more aware of his surrounding and to be more active.

We went through the application process together with me explaining how important it was to fill in all the information required.  Next we needed pick the Area.  Once again, being pessimistic, I told him "since we probably won't be picked anyway, lets choose 6a" at least we can build bonus points.  "In all the times I have put in for Elk I have only been drawn once".

We selected both Deer and Elk for the Rifle Season since I believed we were not ready for an Archery Hunt (Last years Birthday present). To our surprise, we were drawn for both Mule deer and Bull Elk.  

Yes, Sean drew a Bull Tag in 6a the Very first time entering a Draw!  We should have played the Lottery that week, but time was wasting.  There would be so much to do in the time before our hunt.  One of the reasons we selected this area was that we had just purchased a property in that region.  I was unfamiliar with this area since I always spent time around Woods Canyon Lake.  There were maps to purchase, scouting trips to plan, Guns to sight in, camping gear to go through…

  
We started scouting every weekend with the 4x4.  Then some how, we convinced my wife DeMarie, that we NEEDED a Quad.  What if we got an Elk, then what?  Since both of us were unable to fit on the Quad (Sean being 6'1''), I would need a little Enduro to keep up with him. Sound familiar?  Talk about two grown kids having fun in the woods using scouting as an excuse to be there.  We saw lots of Elk and some Deer also, but being a pessimist again! I told him "during hunting season there is a cave where all the animals hide in".  There is a chance we will not get anything, that's why they call it hunting. Looking back, those weeks of scouting made the entire adventure worthwhile.  I saw Sean gain self-confidence.

Two week before our first hunt, all the Animals disappeared.  Was the cave story true? Our first weekend of Deer hunting was a bust.   For most of the morning we got rained on, then it turning white for the afternoon.  We ended our hunt at least seeing some cow Elk in our area, and hearing a couple of bulls in the early morning.  We told ourselves we did not want to disturb the area.

Finally, our Elk Hunt had arrived.  We set-up camp on Thursday night in order to get an early start opening day.  We were familiar enough with the area that we could walk to our spot in total darkness.  
What happened?  Had the driving wind changed the Elks pattern?  We had to climb the hill to find out.  So off we went, carefully, quietly moving up the hill.  Then down the hill.  Then we moved through the Valley, along the canyon, over several ridges without seeing a single thing.  Not even another hunter.  As we sat under a tree, I told Sean that we have several more areas to hunt.  We'll go back to camp have breakfast and plan our evening hunt.

Just as we stood -up I saw them!  4 trotting Elk!!  There!!  Get Down!!!  SEE them?  They're Bulls.  Do you want him?
Sean replied, "Yes".  I followed the Bull with my gun as well (Just in case).  They would pass us at 100 yards.  Shoot when you're ready.
To my surprise the 30-06 bellowed.  The Bull spun 180 degrees and dropped to its knees. I couldn't believe my eyes.  He dropped the Bull with one shot on the move.  Coming to my senses, reload   in case he gets up.  It never did.  Puzzled, I asked Sean how did you do that.  

Sean replied" I just aimed ahead between two trees and when it got there I shot".  By this time my adrenaline was in overdrive.  

As we cautiously approached the Bull he was bigger than I thought.  Oh my, it's a 5x5.  

I looked at Sean and said "Now the work begins".

 
By 1:00pm we were at a butcher station.  He estimated 560 on the hoof and it dressed and quartered at 280lbs.  We would be taking the head home to show mom.

As we were driving back home to Chandler, a grinning Sean asked me "How big was your Elk?"  

I replied "I have not shot one....! yet".

 
So take your kids hunting and pass on the adventures like my dad gave me.  I now know my dad felt when I made my first kill 22 years ago.  Thanks Dad!

  
And thank you DeMarie for putting up with US.

 

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