In 2018, I drew a Dutton early any weapon elk tag. I got lucky and drew a random tag with 15 points on a tag it took 21 points to secure in the max points draw. My goal was for Dad to go along and help as he could in camp and experience Utah.
A few weeks later, I drew a Colorado mountain goat archery tag for G5 after 16 years of applying. This was one of my bucket list animals, so I was committed to go all in. I recruited my cousin, Carly, to help with the hunt. Thanks to Huntin’ Fool’s recommendations, I had a goat tag in Colorado and an elk tag in Utah.
After a summer of working out, gearing up, and visiting with other Huntin’ Fools about these quality tags, it was Labor Day and I was in goat country. Carly and I were there three days early, and we found and patterned seven different billies. On day two of hunting, I got the dream shot I had been waiting 16 years for. It was a single kill shot straight down a cliff at 40 yards. The goat went 100 yards. After watching it for half an hour, I got to lay my hands on a beautiful, long-haired 9"+ billy.
I got home, went to work for a week, and then Dad and I were off to Utah. The plan was to arrive in Utah three days before the opener to scout, but halfway there, vehicle trouble held us up for a couple of days. I barely made it for the opener. I was nervous about not scouting and wondering if I should have turned the tag back in. I chose to go on the hunt.
On day five, after passing on several lesser bulls throughout the week, I found a pond that looked promising. The elk were done bugling by the time the sun came up, and it was hot. I was confident water was going to work. It was noon when I looked up and elk were pouring out of the hills into this waterhole. I was set up 100 yards away, and when I saw the bull, I knew he was the one. He was 50 yards from the water, and I hit him twice with my 7mm mag. Of course, he ended up in the middle of the pond. The next day, I had a packer lined up to get the animal two miles out and back to the truck. Dad and I had a great Utah experience on a bull I was proud to use my 15 points on.
In November, on our 24th annual family Nebraska hunt, I was able to hunt with my dad, three brothers, nephews, and nieces. It was a very successful hunt for all, and several kids got their first deer. My daughter, Hazel, took a great buck, and I also took a good 180" buck.
I cannot thank those of you who helped me enough. The research of these hunts, I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help. Thanks to Huntin’ Fool for helping me set up a portfolio for an average guy to hunt sheep, goat, and other species the blue collar guys couldn’t afford otherwise. With patience and points for the future, I can guarantee you I will pay to play the preference point game and have more great hunts to come.
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