Here is my nieces story................Proud of her!!!!
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Cara Leigh Blaylock
For those of you that know me, you know I'm not a trophy Hunter at all. I'm perfectly content with a doe, a spike, or whatever crosses my path that I feel to be a good ethical hunt/shot and a healthy animal.
This year, due to regulations, we are only able to harvest antlered mule deer or either sex white tail deer so I knew I needed to shoot a buck.
My husband and I went to our "getting spot" along with Jesse's grandpa and father in-Law on the second to last weekend until the season ended. Jesse and I did our typical "let's go climb over this "hill" and see what's over there".
As we climbed the mountain we split off about 100 yards from each other.
I was looking to the left side of the canyon and up the other side of the mountain when I heard Jesse doing his "get the heck over here" whistle.
Sure enough there was a big buck waking down the side of the mountain toward the canyon.
My heart jumped when I realized he spotted us the second I spotted him and Jesse and I quickly dropped to the ground. The next few minutes were a combination of slowly raising our heads back up and lowering them to see if he'd lost interest in us yet.
He eventually did,so we proceeded to army crawl about four feet to a downed tree so I could get a steady shot. (Yes, my husband let me take this one which meant the world me.)
My shot was steady and swift. A clean shot on a broadside animal about 300 yards away right through the vitals.
Both Jesse and I knew it was a good shot right away and there was no suffering for the deer.
I know a lot of people will have mixed feelings on this but I'm proud to be a hunter and I'm proud that I had a great hunt while in that bucks element.
Will he hang on my wall... Probably. I think it's a great way to honor that hunt.
He'll also be processed at our kitchen table and made into steaks, burger, roasts, and whatever else we decide to make. My final way of honoring a great hunt.
Thanks Jesse for trusting me with that shot!
Jesse also filled his tag and we both (along with Tink and Frank 's help) hauled them out of the mountains to start the hard work of processing!" Quote
More of Cara's words and thoughts...
Quote" Let me preface this by saying this is going to be a long story, it is going to be about hunting, and I will not apologize for being a hunter because it helps me provide some of the best possible meat for my family.
I hunt ethically and legally year after year...
Hunting the same areas so that I can learn about my surroundings and the area so I can track easily. I also know the limits of my shooting and stay within those limits to help minimize any potential suffering.
I credit my knowledge and experience first to my dad who has been teaching me since I was 13 about shooting, hunting, and ethical practices.
The past 5 years though I've added another hunting partner that's not only added to that knowledge but has taught me how to have my own style of hunting. I'm very blessed that my husband shares my passion for the outdoors, wild game, and conservation.
My husband doesn't judge me for passing up any shots that a different hunter may take. He knows that I have an inner dialogue and checklist that I go over in my head and in my heart and I have my own reasons for how I hunt.
Sometimes the best shots are the ones not taken...
I have some great images in my head of very majestic creatures that I got to enjoy passing right by me. I'll always be in awe of these and other animals that I get the privilege of sharing our surroundings with.
It's not just about the hunt and the harvest for me.
Hunting season is a time of the year I get to see new and old friends I may only see once a year.
The dining room table at my in-laws becomes a meeting place to discuss the next days scout and for everyone to swap stories of past hunts.It's the type of camaraderie that one might understand if they've been on a sports team our any type of organization in high school or college.
It's being around others who take pride in hunting and always hunt in a way that neither they not the game they hunt is ever shamed... That's where I know I belong.
This year I've spent every weekend plus one full week of vacation waking up before dawn is even a thought and hiking up and down mountains with many great hunters and I wouldn't change one minute it.
I learned a lot about the differences in hunting deer and elk and am learning more about how to read sign and patterns.
I've also learned that elk are some of the most unpredictable creatures I may have ever encountered.
Was I disappointed I didn't fill my elk tag...yes but I'll keep trying!
I did get a big buck that I'm very proud of.
If you're interested in hearing about that, click on the deer picture to follow. Thank you to Kyla Tink Jesse Jonna Trent Steve Greg Cole Bryce Wayne and of course our friends down the hill for a great season and memories! "Quote
