FATHER ’ S DAY TRIBUTE CONTINUED
I couldn ' t believe the size as we neared the bull laying on its side . " What a beauty ," I said , giving him five to his extended hand . I told him I had to saw a bull myself and that I was nearly about to shoot when he did . He started laughing out loud and I saw him smile from ear to ear . " You ' re sure gonna look funny ," he said , referring to my upcoming haircut . I laughed with him , but was crying inside , feeling like there was no tomorrow for hair . I could picture myself in my mind , how I had looked in basic training several years earlier .
Both Hal and I check the elk over , looking at his fine winter condition and checking to see where Hal ' s Weatherby had made its mark . The bull was large and cleaning him was definitely a two man job . But we got the job done and Hal headed back to see if he could drive the Jeep close enough to load the elk . It wasn ' t long and I could see the little Jeep appear dodging trees and rocks along its path . We loaded the elk with a small cable hoist chained to a nearby tree and after tying it securely , headed straight back to Butte .
Hal had shot the elk about 9AM and we returned home shortly after noon . As we drove through town , people twisted their heads to try and get a glimpse of the five pointed horns and the huge body nearly covering the little Willis Jeep . Both of us were as excited as could be , but I felt I had just missed my chance again and was long overdue for my bull .
Later that evening after the excitement of the earthquake and Hal ' s hunting success , I returned home . We had told quite a story to everyone and Hal had been sure to impress on me the bet we made . I told him I remembered but hunting season wasn ' t over yet , and I still had a chance . It seemed a slim chance but I wouldn ' t admit it . I thought very seriously of going that night to the barber shop , but I decided to hunt my hardest until the season was over . I was hoping to at least shoot a spike elk , in order I might keep my hair .
So calling Hal on the phone , we planned another days hunt . Hal was still laughing as he answered the phone , but agreed to go and try to fill his deer tag . So the next morning the Jeep was rolling again , and back we headed to Earthquake Park . As we copied the previous day , we wondered if the ground would shake or even if the sun would shine . " Well ," Hal said , " There ' s the sun , let ' s go ." So off we went up along the ridge in the dark shadows . The sign of elk was still around , but not as fresh , and I wondered if we should have stayed home to rest . As we neared the top we could see the wheel tracks left by the jeep and soon we were at the spot where Hal had shot his bull . After resting I told Hal I would walk along the ridge and to pick me up in the Jeep north of where we were . Hal wished me good luck and with a crooked smile just laughed . As I walked away I grasped my hair and could see Hal breaking up with laughing .
Soon we were out of sight of each other , and I stopped to plan further the route I intended to take . The country was rugged and only the small trails beneath the large fir trees were accessible . I walked slowly and quietly and kept my attention looking deep into the dark trees . Suddenly a sound , a small crack of twigs , on a trail below me . I could sense something was moving toward me about 75 yards away . Then movement , a cow elk sneaking on a trail with her head down approximately 60 yards away . She stopped as she neared an opening looking in all directions and sniffing the wind . I froze in my tracks and slowly raised my 30-06 rifle peering through the scope . I watched the cow as she stopped before crossing a small opening nearly cat-like behind a large tree . I hoped maybe a bull would be following her so I let her cross without making a sound to disturb her . Then I saw horns , two large spikes .
Without the use of the rifle scope , I could see a bull elk followed slowly 20 yards behind her . Atop a dark body I could see a large set of horns moving slowly in the trees . I slowly raised the rifle watching as the elk neared the opening . It stopped and only two spikes showed from behind the large tree . I waited and seconds seemed like hours . Then the bull took another step and looked around cautiously . Continued on page 33
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