Generations of hunting
My family has been involved in hunting for generations. When I became old enough to go hunting with my father I was so involved with athletics in my school, that I regretfully never took the opportunity to go with him. Since we did not have the opportunity of hunting together he gave me his first rifle. A Winchester Model 721, .257 Roberts, which was originally purchased by my great grandfather in the 1940’s. He also handloaded some ammunition for the rifle so I would be ready to hunt in the fall. When hunting season approached I was lucky enough to draw out for a buck tag. I then got my husband and off we went for my first hunt in southern Idaho.
At eight months pregnant my husband and I weren’t sure how I would get up and down the mountain for “tough to hunt” mule deer. However, my father-in-law was farming some alfalfa and had seen a group of bucks near where he was farming along a dry creek bed. My husband and I went out the first day of hunting season and saw a huge buck, but couldn’t get a shot. The second day we went to the same area and saw a few bucks, but they were too far away. We then gave the area a rest and came back two days later. Late in the evening we saw a small buck and a doe out grazing. As we were glassing them my husband looked to his left and saw two big 4 points moving by us giving me a 100 yard broadside shot. I nailed the second buck with one shot through the heart and lungs. He went about 20 feet and fell over. What a memorable and fun first time hunt for me! The deer measured 24 inches wide and 21 ½ inches tall. What a hunt and what an honor to be able to use my great grandfather’s rifle, bullets that my dad had made, and being eight months pregnant with my first child. I will never forget the memories made with my husband and shared with my father while on this hunt.—Crystal Steed, Malta, Idaho.
| Species |
Mule |
| Location |
Alabama |
| Sportsmen |
Crystal |
| Age |
23 |
