IA Born Report post Posted Monday at 03:11 PM This past weekend was Jacob's last youth elk hunt. Any antlerless elk is the mark. We were camped with a great group of folks and saw elk every day. Unfortunately, they were all too far away and moving fast, or there was the one cow who ran across the road in front of us and kept on trucking. We finally got into a shootable group Saturday night; however, they were being pursued by another group of hunters on the other side of the valley. As much as I wanted it to work out for him, he says "All these young kids filling their first tags is a great thing. I have a lifetime of chasing elk in front of me." He's wise beyond his years, that's for sure. We woke up yesterday morning with the intention of relocating the rest of the herd from Saturday night. A good friend was with us this time. We found the bull and a lone cow in an area that we couldn't hunt, but watched their movement. Figuring on where they were going, we hatched a plan. Jacob took off and staged himself while we kept an eye out from our hilltop. Jacob has been wanting to do more solo hunting. Who am I to say no considering how much I was turkey and pheasant hunting on my own by the time I was his age. I trust him explicitly to stay calm and know how to react, even when there is no cell service. Will took over guiding him and they formulated a solid plan. I was texting Jacob that I can't see the elk and have no clue where they are. I was about to suggest that he work his way back to the truck. That's when it happened. We heard a series of shots ring out in rapid sucession. I gave it a few minutes and started texting Jacob. Nothing. No service. That's when I saw him in the opening. He walked out to where he could give me hand signals. Even from that far away, I could see his excitement and read his reactions. He'd done it! He filled his last youth elk tag on the last morning of the time we had to hunt. He did it on his own, too. We (mostly Will) gave him general guidance on how to approach the situation and Jacob took off to find success. As he told us, he was weaving through the thick junipers and, as he popped out around one, there was the cow standing broadside at 10 yards. Jacob jumped in to help field dress his trophy, realizing he needs to learn. I was sitting back beaming with pride at the young man he's become. Selfless, hard working, altruistic, compassionate, determined, and building integrity. I already know how badly I will miss these days, but I also know how little I will have to worry in less than a year. For now, though, its time to regroup and get ready for his upcoming last youth deer hunt this coming weekend. Sideways pics on my phone drive me nuts. Sorry! 18 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lucafu1 Report post Posted Monday at 03:16 PM Congrats to you both! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted Monday at 03:20 PM Great job! Teaching them right! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Markleo21377 Report post Posted Monday at 03:25 PM Incredible!!! What a beautiful cow and a great cap on the youth hunting experience! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chefb Report post Posted Monday at 03:45 PM Congratulations! I cannot believe this young man has outgrown youth tags already. How fast the years fly by. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted Monday at 04:08 PM Stellar write up! Congratulations on the success and documentation of what a fine young man Jacob has turned into. You guys did good on your last hoorah of a Jr hunt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted Monday at 04:43 PM LOVE IT!! Outstanding!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted Monday at 07:47 PM Awesome, can't wait until the grandkids to start. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eli Report post Posted Monday at 08:04 PM So awesome! Congratulations to you both! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mocha1545 Report post Posted Monday at 11:35 PM Congrats on a great hunt. Lifetime memories 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RJ75 Report post Posted Tuesday at 12:15 AM Awesome! Congrats. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted Tuesday at 12:37 AM This is great. I can relate. Congratulations all around! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OpticNerd Report post Posted Tuesday at 03:21 AM Nice congrats! Good looking cow. These youth cow hunts have been some of our favorite hunts over the years. Thanks for sharing 👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted Wednesday at 12:55 AM My boy and I leave tomorrow for his first elk hunt. I read this with a giant grin on my face. My absolute favorite part was "All these young kids filling their first tags is a great thing. I have a lifetime of chasing elk in front of me." There are plenty of full grown, very experienced adults that could learn a lesson from that sentence alone. I also commend you for letting him go alone. I don't know that I could do that, then again my boy is only 12, maybe when he is older.... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted Wednesday at 02:09 AM Awesome...congrats and thanks for sharing! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
