Posted By: PythonHunter
2013 Little Gun Invitational Handgun Hunt - 10/17/2013 3:17 AM
Let me start by saying that I am the proudest papa out here right now. Gregg Richter will vounch for that and unfortunately for me, he has the proof on video.
My daughters, Taylor (15) and Abigail (13), and I were lucky enough to accompany Gregg and his son Joe to the Durham Ranch outside of Wright, Wyoming to enjoy the sights, sounds, comradery, friendship, laughter and the making of memories that came with the trip. And let me tell you, it was a trip.
We left Iowa Friday morning to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, literally. We didn't make it 15 miles before it started to rain, not a good sign after Wyoming had recieved 9 inches of snow the weekend before and South Dakota got clobbered. We pressed on and within 10 more miles, they were both out like lights. At least with them sleeping I got to listen to my music.
The trip seemed to go fast, but with just as many stops as I had feared, and we pulled into Wright in the dark. Waking up to sunshine and a world we hadn't seen yet, I ate breakfast while they slept, and was greeted with antelope out the window as I ate. I may have found heaven. I went back to wake up the girls and as they looked out the window, several antelope walked past the motel 200 feet from us. Now they were believers too.
But, enough about the lead up to event, let's get to the event. After meeting Gregg and Joe, we drove to the Durham Ranch, got sighted in, and started out the search for the perfect buck for Abi. Abi drew the first shot as she had never had the opportunity to harvest any big game animal and Taylor had shot her only Iowa whitetail at the age of 10. We drove the ranch, saw some animals, failed on a few stalks, and despite my frustration, Abi and Taylor had such a relentless positive attitude that we pressed on. Armed with that positive attitude and a Colt AR15 chambered in .223, we pressed on. The girls had practiced a lot, they were confident, and that bled over to us. How could we miss?
It got to be pretty late in the day when it all came together for Abi. A good buck came into view with several does and a small buck, and best yet, they were within range. Abi put a shout out there, but it was low. I forgot to range it one last time right before the shot. Apparently I was a little excited... But Abi kept her chin up and we pressed on. Five bucks strolled out of nowhere, and the stalk was on again. Fortunately for us, it was a short stalk and we were set up on the best of the bunch. The shot broke and it looked good, but the buck ran out of range and didn't go down. We bedded the buck, and decided to come back after him in the morning.
The next day found us back out after him and we were lucky to locate him again, but he looked awful healthy. A couple of shots were passed that were just too long, but we were able to catch up with him on a high flat and closed the distance to 151 yards. A perfect shot later, and the buck was down for good.
After a few pictures (maybe just short of 100) we headed off to locate a buck for Taylor. The looking didn't last long as we eyed a bunch of about 40 antelope on the hillside, but it was not to be. They were initially in range, but just wouldn't hold still long enough to get a comfortable shot. However, all was not lost, as we watched them trot off, I looked behind us and noticed 2 does and a nice buck running towards. They were about 1/2 mile away and we didn't think this would work out, but we just held still and prayed. It worked! The does got to 87 yards before they veered off while the buck made it to 143. As the does veered, so did the buck, but he made a fatal mistake, he stopped. That was all it took for Taylor and she sent the 62 grain bonded SP perfectly and the buck never took another step. Lots of high fives, hugs, more pictures, and the video evidence that a proud Dad can blubber. Wow! I can't wait to do this again!
Abi's on the left and Taylor is on the right. I'm a very lucky father. Oh, and there are two more just like these two coming soon, ages 7 and 11. More to come.
My daughters, Taylor (15) and Abigail (13), and I were lucky enough to accompany Gregg and his son Joe to the Durham Ranch outside of Wright, Wyoming to enjoy the sights, sounds, comradery, friendship, laughter and the making of memories that came with the trip. And let me tell you, it was a trip.
We left Iowa Friday morning to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, literally. We didn't make it 15 miles before it started to rain, not a good sign after Wyoming had recieved 9 inches of snow the weekend before and South Dakota got clobbered. We pressed on and within 10 more miles, they were both out like lights. At least with them sleeping I got to listen to my music.
The trip seemed to go fast, but with just as many stops as I had feared, and we pulled into Wright in the dark. Waking up to sunshine and a world we hadn't seen yet, I ate breakfast while they slept, and was greeted with antelope out the window as I ate. I may have found heaven. I went back to wake up the girls and as they looked out the window, several antelope walked past the motel 200 feet from us. Now they were believers too.
But, enough about the lead up to event, let's get to the event. After meeting Gregg and Joe, we drove to the Durham Ranch, got sighted in, and started out the search for the perfect buck for Abi. Abi drew the first shot as she had never had the opportunity to harvest any big game animal and Taylor had shot her only Iowa whitetail at the age of 10. We drove the ranch, saw some animals, failed on a few stalks, and despite my frustration, Abi and Taylor had such a relentless positive attitude that we pressed on. Armed with that positive attitude and a Colt AR15 chambered in .223, we pressed on. The girls had practiced a lot, they were confident, and that bled over to us. How could we miss?
It got to be pretty late in the day when it all came together for Abi. A good buck came into view with several does and a small buck, and best yet, they were within range. Abi put a shout out there, but it was low. I forgot to range it one last time right before the shot. Apparently I was a little excited... But Abi kept her chin up and we pressed on. Five bucks strolled out of nowhere, and the stalk was on again. Fortunately for us, it was a short stalk and we were set up on the best of the bunch. The shot broke and it looked good, but the buck ran out of range and didn't go down. We bedded the buck, and decided to come back after him in the morning.
The next day found us back out after him and we were lucky to locate him again, but he looked awful healthy. A couple of shots were passed that were just too long, but we were able to catch up with him on a high flat and closed the distance to 151 yards. A perfect shot later, and the buck was down for good.
After a few pictures (maybe just short of 100) we headed off to locate a buck for Taylor. The looking didn't last long as we eyed a bunch of about 40 antelope on the hillside, but it was not to be. They were initially in range, but just wouldn't hold still long enough to get a comfortable shot. However, all was not lost, as we watched them trot off, I looked behind us and noticed 2 does and a nice buck running towards. They were about 1/2 mile away and we didn't think this would work out, but we just held still and prayed. It worked! The does got to 87 yards before they veered off while the buck made it to 143. As the does veered, so did the buck, but he made a fatal mistake, he stopped. That was all it took for Taylor and she sent the 62 grain bonded SP perfectly and the buck never took another step. Lots of high fives, hugs, more pictures, and the video evidence that a proud Dad can blubber. Wow! I can't wait to do this again!
Abi's on the left and Taylor is on the right. I'm a very lucky father. Oh, and there are two more just like these two coming soon, ages 7 and 11. More to come.
