Nathan's 1st Bowhunting Trip!

On Thursday, September 2nd, Nathan left for his first bow hunting trip. Nathan has been planning and getting excited for this trip for months.

The Plan:
Nathan and his friend, Adam, would leave Thursday to go hunting. Their other friend, Toby, would meet them on Saturday. They would all get their elk and return home Monday night. Piece of cake, right?

The Reality:
Nathan and Adam left on Thursday. After getting permission from a logging company to camp and hunt on their land, they hiked in 4 miles and set up camp. They went hunting all day on Friday. Nathan got his first "kill", it was slightly smaller than an elk...it was a grouse. But he was still very proud! And so am I! Then Nathan and Adam had to bushwhack through some pretty thick willows and briars. It took them 2 hours to get 1/2 a mile. Nathan's arms are very scratched up! When Adam and Nathan returned to their camp it was GONE! No kidding, EVERYTHING was gone! Somebody had taken their tent, sleeping bags, pads, tarp, clothes, food, cooking gear, water, etc. etc. etc. Over $600 worth of stuff! So, since they had no place to sleep, no food, no warmer clothes, they had to come home. Nathan called me on the way home and said, "The good news is I got my first kill today and we are coming home early. The bad news is I didn't get an elk and our camp was stolen." I was in disbelief, as they were. It is all very weird.

The next day, Saturday, Nathan and I go around town restocking some of his gear. Then that evening Toby and Nathan head up to the mountains again to try some more. They had a good time, nothing was stolen. But the elk were not responding to the calls and they just were not having a lot of luck. They spotted a huge buck, but couldn't get close to it. So they came home Sunday night, cutting their hunting adventure a day short.

Poor Nathan. At least he had a good time with his friends, experienced some nature, and no one got hurt (except for scratched up arms, and sore ankles). Better luck next time Honey!

Update:
Adam had called the logging company when they discovered their camp was missing to see if they knew anything. They didn't at the time. But Adam received a call this morning from the logging company and it seems that an employee had cleaned up their camp. I guess he didn't know they had permission. Oh well, at least we found it! YEAH!!! That is about $1200 saved (the $600 of stolen property and the $600 to replace it!) Whew!

Here are some pictures...

Nathan's bow with Iron Mountain in the background.

Nathan with his grouse, what a good shot!

A beautiful view of Iron Mountain.


Nathan in front of Cone Peak.

Getting a closer look down a shear cliff! Be careful Honey!

He's so HOT in camo!