Justin and I were blessed with two 1st season big bull tags last year for the Minim Unit which is Wallowa County
Day 1 Opening morning. We were up before daylight silently preparing for the days' hunt. Each lost in thought of the previous day's events, and what would come with the new day. My husband and I decided to hunt an area were we had to cross a creek and walk in about 3 miles. Needless to say I’m excited and I wanted to show my husband I am trooper. It’s just getting daybreak and my husband gives me the sign its time to start moving.
1st obstacle cross the creek with my gun and backpack. I look ahead as my fearless leader hops from rock to rock and steps short of his destination….. Thank god for water proof boots. So I decided if he fell short then I needed a different route. I chose to cross over on a fallen down tree. You know I’m feeling pretty confident on the route I was embarking and low and behold I slip fall and am now lying on my back in the water. It’s the dead of winter. The winds blowing and I’m freezing. I decided that I need to man up, get up and start moving. Three miles later we are on top of a hog back glassing. Let’s just say that I was thankful when that day ended.
Day 2 We hunted and glassed the entire day all we spotted were cows and by then it was snowing. We had decided we were going to head back to camp and Justin was making little stops here and there glassing across the canyons. It’s about 5:00 in the evening and the sun is getting ready to set. Justin and I had almost decided we were through looking when Justin spots a bull 1100 yards away. My adrenalin was running. Justin looks at me and says the bull is a 6 point. I say just shoot the bull Justin and I had him almost convinced when he says I’m going to watch him bed down and in the morning we will walk in the dark get as close as we can and boom goes the dynamite. I know what your thinking great plan. We get back to the camp talk with some hunters up camp from us Justin lets them know we might need help packing out a bull in the morning. Justin says to the guys from Eugene
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Day 3 4:30 in the AM I look outside still dark and pouring rain. I’m pissed now thinking really I’m getting ready to go on an extreme hunt with Carl Lewis aka Justin. I’m in for a work out no pain no gain right. We drive to the ridge were we are going to side hill it in on the opposite side of where the bull bedded down. By the way it’s still pouring rain and I’m soaked. Finding the bull was going to be like finding a needle in a hay stack. There was so much blow down a creek running through the two ridges. Spider man couldn’t even get through this mess. I’m not going to lie I was praying the whole entire time please God don’t let me fall, please God don’t let me miss if I get a Shot, please God don’t let me mess it up for Justin. It’s one thing when you’re hunting with a buddy and a whole another experience with your spouse. Its now getting day break it’s raining, fog’s setting in and we are probably about 2 ½ miles in on the side of the ridge when my husband spots the monster bull still bedded down. Justin range finds the bull at 607 yards. What are the chances of him still being in the exact same spot especially with the weather conditions?
At this time I’m thinking hyperthermia is setting in at least that’s what it felt like. I’m shaking and he looks right at me and says when I say move you move the bull is now standing up and looking in our direction. We were busted. I finally got my Q to move in less then 1 minute my scope was fogged up, I have two trees in my way and I don’t have a shot. I look right at Justin and said Shoot him. Of course that’s all the coaxing Quigley needed he shot once and hit him broad side right above the shoulder. The bull is on the move now. A second shot is fired and it is successful.
When the bull fell to the ground it was right behind a log and Justin could still see his rack moving. We decided it was smart to have Justin stay on the ridge incase the bull got up and I would make my way down the ridge and back up to the bull. An hour later and one pit stop to puck. The uphill terrain was a killer. I finally reached my mark the bull had expired. I thought to myself when I gave Justin the signal to make his way what a rush, what a blessing, and what a bull!! Amazing what a successful hunt can do for the stamina. Needless to say we got no extra help from the hunter’s next door surprise.
My husband and I had the bull packed out by that following morning. It was a feeling of accomplishment, that I could do it. "My husband, I think he was very proud. I did everything he taught me to do."
Our special hunting venture was over, but it had been blessed with that special moment where everything went right and standing outside the camper covered with snow stood the rack of Justin’s 6x6 bull. Never do I feel more spiritual than when hunting the high country; whether alone in my thoughts or with my husband sharing God's gifts. It truly was; "Another day to remember".
