While a shotgun isn’t completely foreign to me, I admit that it typically sits under my bed for 12+ months at a time. Then, I pull it out and attempt to remember how to properly shoulder, lead, and follow through a shot. I’d compare it to a newborn giraffe learning how to walk. Ok, maybe not that bad, but it’s not pretty! My love for archery hunting runs deep, so everything else seems to fall behind that.
For 7 years I’ve been chasing bulls with my dad - It’s become a family tradition and it’s the hunt I look forward to more than any other. He started my addiction in 2015 as a wedding gift and I’ve been hooked ever sense. I went from never knowing what a bugle sounded like before my first hunt, to finally connecting on my first solo archery bull this year. It’s been quite the journey, and this is the first year that I’ve felt called to try to accomplish it on my own. After going on guided elk hunts for a few years, we started going on DIY public land hunts as a family and I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s allowed me to challenge myself and learn a lot more about elk in order to be successful. Eating tag soup isn’t easy for me, and while I know that hunting is much more than the kill, punching that tag is the biggest goal for me personally. This year, prior to this trip, I’ve been hunting OTC (over-the-counter) tags in Utah, shooting at 2 spikes already with nothing to show for it. Simply being within range is a rush, so getting a shot is something really special.
I have waited for nearly a year to share this incredibly special moment with everyone! When Under Armour asked me what I’m most passionate about and what species consumes my mind, I didn’t hesitate to say elk. I knew that’s what my film needed to be focused on. They’re the only animal that I dream about and they make me work harder in every area of my life, from the gym to reps with my bow, to giving every ounce to my job so I can afford to go chase them every year. If I’m thinking about hunting at all, it’s usually in regards to elk. There’s just nothing like hearing a bull bugle at 20 yards - I’ve been saying that since 2015 when I first experienced it. Then, add the challenge of chasing them with a bow and you’re going to be humbled really quick. I have failed way more than I’ve been successful, but it keeps me hungry for more.
If you’re no stranger to my writing, then you know I love first time experiences! For years the idea of predator hunting simply didn’t interest me. I see now that it was based on emotion rather than facts, because with the little time I’ve invested in researching these incredible animals, I now see the damage they can do on elk and deer herds. I suppose conservation doesn’t show favoritism and all animals need to be managed as the human population continues to increase. While I’ve hunted multiple predators to-date, I had never hunted one that would stare into your soul. It’s quite eerie actually, thinking about all the days I’ve spent on the mountain without seeing a cougar but knowing they’re there and have 100% seen me.
Other than one other attempt to hunt mule deer up in Alberta, I admit that I have zero experience or knowledge of the species. Growing up in the South meant we focused on whitetail, and it certainly wasn’t spot-and-stalk method. Each time I’ve been out West, the focus is elk, but after moving our life to Southern Utah less than a year ago and working at the oldest “hub” for Western hunting information, you could say I’ve been exposed to mule deer MUCH more. Whether I’m hiking a trail, glassing, or simply conversing in the office with the Huntin’ Fool hunt advisors, mule deer has been the new whitetail for me.
While it’s true that I travel a little bit of everywhere chasing first time experiences, I do find it odd that I’ve hunted all these years and never put much time into whitetail outside of Texas. Part of that is because the deer hunting in Texas is really good, and part of that is because I simply don’t need more whitetail meat. I have permission all over my home state to tag a handful of deer, so going out of state to chase them wasn’t a priority. I must admit though, after my Kentucky experience, I can no longer say this. I pray I have the opportunity to go back every year.
It was my first time ever hunting antelope and also my first time to hunt Wyoming. I connected with a family through social media that had several girls that hunted, including a 3 year old named Lilly that completely stole my heart. Wall tent camp on public land with a new group of avid bowhunters sounded so fun and I couldn’t wait to get there. I’d been practicing every day and feeling so confident with my setup. I honestly went into it thinking it was going to be fairly easy because I always heard there were so many antelope everywhere you looked.
I think this is one of the most challenging articles I’ve ever written. Is it normal to start a blog post by saying that? Ha!
I feel that there are so many stories, perspectives, and lessons to be learned that are wrapped up into this one experience. I can’t help but want to tell every single angle of it: a father/daughter relationship, the adrenaline we feel as hunters, the innocence of a first time hunter, the difference a single hunter can make in regards to conservation, learning to cope with all the emotions that surface after the shot, the peacefulness of a wall tent camp under the Northern Lights, and the undeniable results of a hard-working, faith driven family and outfit. I truly hope to depict an accurate reflection of the energy on this hunt, between the video and some added detail within this article. I can’t help but highlight what resonates with me the most: a story of a father and his teenage daughter going on her very first hunt. This certainly hits home for me, and it was really neat getting to see their relationship.
I have chased birds from Alabama to Texas and barely heard a gobble the whole time. In fact, I saw one hen, heard a handful of gobbles, and struggled to find fresh tracks and/or poop. I thought for sure I’d be eating tag soup for my 2019 turkey season, until my sweet friend invited me down to Mellon Creek Outfitters in Refugio, Texas to chase gobblers one last time. I didn’t hesitate for a second to jump on the road, making the 3.5 hour drive to some of the best hunting country I’ve ever seen - 110,000 acres of free range bliss.
I sat there 20’ high, shaking uncontrollably after releasing my arrow, and thought to myself, “what if I did it again?”
Five years ago that question would be in a celebratory manner, as in, what if I’m still on my hot streak and just had another successful hunt. My first few seasons as a bowhunter were incredible; literally nothing could pass me! Not this year though. 2018 has been rough. The hesitation and shakiness from within was stemming from uncertainty after so much heartbreak during early season, from missing to wounding multiple animals.
We were already a quarter of the way up the mountain when a text came through on our Garmin inReach from Tekapo Helicopter - "Forecast isn't too good! Best to plan for today as tomorrow is looking pretty bad. Could you be ready to go by 2pm?" Rihana and I were heading up the mountain with TJ and Grant of Metanoia Ventures to potentially recover my first bull tahr. It was easily a 3 hour hike, plus recovery time, then packing him back out. We were racing the clock.
We arrived in New Mexico on September 7th and immediately got dressed for an unexpected evening hunt. It was raining and the mosquitos were TERRIBLE. I was wishing every second that I had my Thermacell as part of my packing list. Also, I forgot one of the most important items for a fair skinned gal - SUNSCREEN! Both of these are must-haves and I paid the price for not having both. Don't make my mistake!
