From the time my daughter Bailey was a little girl, she wanted to go hunting with her two older brothers and me, her father. She did all the little girl things like play with dolls, have tea parties and dance lessons. I thought when she got older her desire to go hunting would fade away into recitals, sleepovers and teenage girl stuff. Still, she persisted – so when she was about 13 or 14 I helped her get her hunter safety course so she could hunt if she received a tag. There seemed to always be a conflict with her school, sports and other activities she was involved with and we never did a hunt until she returned from serving a mission for her church. Last year (2023) she finally drew a tag for the Zion unit. I tried to carefuly curb her enthusiasm and her certainty that she would get a deer – but she wouldn’t hear it – she was going to get a deer. My family loves shooting – I have three children, Bailey and her two older brothers – they all grew up learning firearm safety and a love for shooting and hunting – each is proficient with shotguns, pistols and rifles. Opening morning we were in a stand about 12 feet high – we were in a good place with deer frequently passing on all sides. We saw several smaller bucks and even a pretty nice three point – but she was after something she wanted to be proud of. Just after the sun came up Bailey whispered “dad, there’s a buck straight in back of us.” We both slowly turned around and I spotted the mature buck about 120 yards away. He was looking straight at us, so I whispered, “wait for him to turn broadside so you have a good shot at him.” She slowly raised her rifle and found him in the scope and just held steady…no buck fever, not nervous jitters – just waiting for the buck to turn broadside. Suddenly the buck started flicking his tail and I could tell he was nervous and about to bolt – so I told Bailey to center the crosshair on his chest and quickly take the shot. A split second later her shot rang out. I knew the buck had been hit – but he took a couple of steps and went behind a small cedar tree. I told Bailey to quickly rack another cartridge and be ready for a second shot – when the buck collapsed from behind the tree and rolled about 3 yards down the hill. I wasn’t sure how her reaction would be when she actually killed a deer – her reaction was reverent, enthusiasm. She was so excited and thankful. Her eyes filled with tears as she sat behind the buck, grabbed both horns and held them proudly in her hands. That night while we were eating and reflecting on the day she said, “dad, this is one of those memories that is near the top of all the experiences I’ve had – I will never forget this day.” You know memories with family and friends are one of the most important aspects of hunting – Bailey and I have one that we’ll both remember forever. One additional point – Bailey learned that there was a family having a hard time making ends meet – most of the meat from the deer was given to this family – it is a memory the receiving family will never forget as well.
From the time my daughter Bailey was a little girl, she wanted to go hunting with her two older brothers and me, her father. She did all the little girl things like play with dolls, have tea parties and dance lessons. I thought when she got older her desire to go hunting would fade away into recitals, sleepovers and teenage girl stuff. Still, she persisted – so when she was about 13 or 14 I helped her get her hunter safety course so she could hunt if she received a tag. There seemed to always be a conflict with her school, sports and other activities she was involved with and we never did a hunt until she returned from serving a mission for her church. Last year (2023) she finally drew a tag for the Zion unit. I tried to carefuly curb her enthusiasm and her certainty that she would get a deer – but she wouldn’t hear it – she was going to get a deer. My family loves shooting – I have three children, Bailey and her two older brothers – they all grew up learning firearm safety and a love for shooting and hunting – each is proficient with shotguns, pistols and rifles. Opening morning we were in a stand about 12 feet high – we were in a good place with deer frequently passing on all sides. We saw several smaller bucks and even a pretty nice three point – but she was after something she wanted to be proud of. Just after the sun came up Bailey whispered “dad, there’s a buck straight in back of us.” We both slowly turned around and I spotted the mature buck about 120 yards away. He was looking straight at us, so I whispered, “wait for him to turn broadside so you have a good shot at him.” She slowly raised her rifle and found him in the scope and just held steady…no buck fever, not nervous jitters – just waiting for the buck to turn broadside. Suddenly the buck started flicking his tail and I could tell he was nervous and about to bolt – so I told Bailey to center the crosshair on his chest and quickly take the shot. A split second later her shot rang out. I knew the buck had been hit – but he took a couple of steps and went behind a small cedar tree. I told Bailey to quickly rack another cartridge and be ready for a second shot – when the buck collapsed from behind the tree and rolled about 3 yards down the hill. I wasn’t sure how her reaction would be when she actually killed a deer – her reaction was reverent, enthusiasm. She was so excited and thankful. Her eyes filled with tears as she sat behind the buck, grabbed both horns and held them proudly in her hands. That night while we were eating and reflecting on the day she said, “dad, this is one of those memories that is near the top of all the experiences I’ve had – I will never forget this day.” You know memories with family and friends are one of the most important aspects of hunting – Bailey and I have one that we’ll both remember forever. One additional point – Bailey learned that there was a family having a hard time making ends meet – most of the meat from the deer was given to this family – it is a memory the receiving family will never forget as well.
Once in a lifetime South African Kudu hunt.
Alex caught the biggest perch fish Lake Utah in front of the lodge
Alex caught the biggest perch fish Lake Utah in front of the lodge
Alex caught the biggest perch fish Lake Utah in front of the lodge
Went camping with the family at Ledgefork campground and went fishing at smith and Morehouse reservoir!
These two love to fish . This was our biggest 2.7 lb Koke at Flaming Gorge. Our annual fishing with Grandpa trip was a success. It was also the first fish of the trip they caught in the the first 20 minutes of fishing.
Grandpa Brent took the Grandkids to Flaming Gorge for the annual fishing trip and got into some nice Kokanee. Cache and Kayson caught our two biggest fish 2.7 lbs and Kayson couldn’t resist a kiss.
