Hunting 20 something years later

For years and years and YEARS the Copsey men have traversed to Idaho to hunt deer.  The last hunt was somewhere around 20 years ago and this year they decided to do it again.  So they got a nice tent, and some hunting provisions and set out for a grand hunt.

We got a big ol' tent for the occasion, and it's huge.  But that will come in handy with our family to use in the summers!!!

 What's a photo of the Copsey men without this pose???

 They searched high and low and sadly no deer.  That was a bummer!!!

 One reason for no deer....wolf tracks.  I hear you "but wolves are only in Yellowstone!!!" Sadly the wolf population has become a bit overgrown, and it could be one of the causes of the decline in deer.  See the smaller tracks? That's a coyote.  The wolf track is as big as Rick's hand!

 They did come upon this old mining camp.

 Looks like the cabin is still in use, but the mine is not.

 Rick and Mike spent their last day exploring the camp.  It looks pretty cool!

The trip was one of visiting, remembering, and fun.  Who knows if or when this opportunity will come around again.

Time to reconnect

This year I drew out for a buck antelope.  Rick has been wanting me to go hunting with him for years, and I told him I probably wouldn't mind antelope hunting, I was unsure about the rest.  So after four years of putting in I drew out.  I was nervous but Rick took me shooting and we were both surprised to find I am not a terrible shot.  So we waited until someone was able to watch the kids and we took off on our adventure.  

 We spent all morning driving around my area and Rick kept saying too small, too small.  I was beginning to think a small one would be ok, but he was determined to find me a big ol buck!  Driving around wasn't so hard, it was a great time for us to talk, and reconnect, which is so hard with three kids around us.  I called it our bonding time, and it really was such a good time.  I'd tell you the whole hunting adventure for getting this big guy, and we are happy to report the buck is the biggest one anyone's gotten in awhile.  I will say the stats Rick reported; I shot the buck at 230 yards while sitting on the side of a mesa.  There was a strong cross wind and he (the buck) was walking.  I shot him through the liver, and he went down hard.  I'm feeling a bit Annie Oakley at the moment and Rick is prepping it for a taxidermy mount.

Rick packed the antelope about a mile back to the car backpack style, he was covered in nasty, and he skinned it at home and tomorrow will work on getting it ready for a wall mount.  I can't believe how much fun we had and we are now thinking of what we hunt for together next.