September and October

Catching up once again. We continue to stay busy with all of our responsibilities and interests. Seems like we have done a lot since my last post.
When I got back from my second stint in Silver City, we made a trip to Ely for Blake's (My sister's baby) blessing over labor day weekend. It was a pretty special trip because Gpa Fred and Gma Margie were able to make the trip. They were not able to come to the Ely reception last year and then our Thanks Giving 2008 plans were ruined by Margie's heart attack. I was so happy to see them and even more grateful that Katie was able to meet them for the first time. The cherry on top was a big BYU wind over Oklahoma.
As soon as we returned home Katie headed to Pocatello to take the GRE. She spent a lot of time studying and practicing which ultimately paid off because she met and exceeded the minimums she needs for ISU grad school. The next day she started her last semester at BYU-I.
I surprised Katie with an early Christmas/Graduation present. It was a used Left Handed Browning A-bolt 30.06 hunting rifle. It was a good deal so I jumped on it. She shoots with her left eye so I had been looking for a gun that would work better for her. She loved the gun and was SO surprised when she pulled it out of the case thinking it was her old gun.
My dad came up at the end of September to scout for his Oct. 1st Bull Elk hunt. He ended up shooting a real nice 6x6 330 gross scoring bull on the second day of the hunt. Katie and I went up the next day and helped him break camp so we could get set up for the deer hunt by Malad that opened the following weekend.
We set up camp at my in-laws ranch house. It was so nice because we were able to hook up to the power at the house. We had seen a lot of deer during the scout so I felt pretty confident that Katie would have some opportunities opening morning of the hunt.
She did have opportunities but I don't know if you would call them good ones. TOO MANY PEOPLE!!! We were able to get on a real nice buck but it was a little too far. Katie got down and ready and took one shot as the deer ran over the hill. 330 yards moving is a pretty tough shot for anyone. I wanted so bad for her to get it, (bigger than anything I have ever shot) but even though she missed I was so proud of her getting into position and taking a shot. She did so well all day as we went on a marathon death march chasing deer around the mountains having our stalks continually foiled by other hunters.
We finally tracked down another group and again Katie and my dad took some long shots with no luck. The plan was for them to try trailing the deer they shot at and I would head back out to get the truck and come around the mountain to pick them up so they didn't have to walk so far. As I was hunting back toward the truck I jumped this 5 point and shot him before he went over the rise. I felt rewarded for all the work we had put in, but really wished it could have been Katie that shot the deer.
A couple day's later dad hit a three point running at 430 yards. I was able to find it and dad finished it off. I wish so badly that Katie had been with us that dad because we had some good shots at a few forkies, but she had to be back to school.
We may still be able to get a cow elk tag this year. Katie is really becoming a hunter. She is getting quicker and understanding the urgency associated with hunting. She works so hard at everything she does whether it is school, church, hunting, work, or being the world's best wife. I am so grateful that I have her in my life and that we are able to enjoy doing things together that have been so important to me throughout my life.
We are headed to the BYU-TCU football game this weekend. I hope I return with good news. I believe in my Cougars, but I will not be surprised with any outcome in this game.