May 2026 WapitiTalk Photo of the Month Contest

[WapitiTalk1]

May 2026 WT Photo of the Month Contest... Theme is "my old friend". Please submit a pic of your four-legged friend that has put in the time with you out in the field. Could be a beagle, a lab, a mule, a pack goat, a horse...you get the picture .

1. Yes, the stinky MODs may enter a photo also).
2. Photo must relate to the monthly theme (or risk being disqualified).
3. Do not use photo editing software to enhance your photo. Just post the photo as it was taken with your camera, smart phone, trail cam, etc. You may have to resize some photos so they are accepted by the forum software; remember, photos can only be 800X600 pixels "MAX" for our forum.
4. You may use older photos you have on hand, but, do not submit a photo that has won a previous WT photo contest.
5. Any WT member may enter a photo they have taken or appear in.
6. Judging – WT members will vote on monthly photo submissions.
7. Contest period will normally end the last day of the month.
8. Winner must contact WapitiTalk1 via PM and provide mailing address for prize (your prize may be sent directly from a WT sponsor or from RJ).
9. Prizes will vary from month to month.
10. All monthly winners will be automatically entered into the "photo of the year" contest.

The prize for the May 2026 contest is TBD.

[7mmfan]

This is Chloe Dog. She left us about 3 years ago now. I haven't had the heart to replace her yet. My wife (then girlfriend) and I got her when we lived in a dinky apartment in college in Central Washington. She quickly turned into a bird hunting machine. Even had a knack for finding sheds. She lived to a ripe old age of 15 years before her hips and spinal degeneration took her from us. She got to move to a few different homes with us and spend 5 years with our first son.

This picture is her last retrieve. The final drake of a jump shooting limit in December of 2020. The drive that dog had for retrieving ducks still blows my mind. I could go on and on about the stories of her crushing through blackberry bushes, bamboo thickets, digging ducks out of beaver dams, chasing her down the river in my boat when she wouldn't give up on a cripple. She was really one of a kind and I am blessed to have known her.

[RanchoSueno]

Mine is my horse, of course... she is 25 now but I was given her as a 4yr old for my 12th birthday. She didn't know a thing and I was just barely getting immersed in the horse world. She has been my rock through everything. Wild Hunting adventures, starting my own family, my peace and therapy... you name it. I wouldn't be the equestrian I am today without her. I can't even fathom who I'll be after she crosses that rainbow bridge. Hopefully we're a good decade out from that dreaded day and many new trails yet to be ridden

[six]

This is Skyye bear. She flunked our of bear school and we took her in. She's now a part of the family and a great help come deer season.

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[Lefty]

This is Chloe Dog

. The drive that dog had .

Most dogs given a chance will exceed most expectations.

[Lefty]

My old friend: Holly Hunter Hauser

7mm
Her last hunt-retrieve also,
Her bragging resume was quite extensive
4H Dog obedience won the State rossests three years, once each of our kids and one year for the neighbor girl.
Idaho5th grade 1st place Art contest
3rd place Idaho kids Photo contest
Could identify elk coyotes, deer a different bark for each
Was the official life gaurd and would swim for hours with kids
BSA troop 330 mascot
Retrieved well over 1000 geese
Could be sent 900 yards on a blind retrieve or jump birds
I could nap while she watched the bobbe, and let me know when ducks were coming
In resonable conditions she would "stay"
Hated coyotes

Maybe we need a new thread to brag on our critters

Rancho: I would love to hear your stories: We gave our daughter paint/quarter when she was 14

IMG_0588 hollys last hunt in the desert 19.JPG (141.17 KiB) Viewed 230 times

[Indian Summer]

It was a long way to the top. Tetons in the background. I could never have the quality of hunting I do without man’s best friend in the mountains.

[Swede]

Not a horse or a good dog; just the best partner I ever had. My brother George. We started off as kids hunting together. Now we are at the other end of our journey and still together.

[Lefty]

Swede: My FIL got red of everything that didnt eat gasoline

Those Little Suzuki's were the Ultimate machine, I Packed out my first bull elk out on one,,,

[Swede]

Lefty, I agree with your FIL. Every hay burner I have known of doesn't stop eating when the hunt is over. They continue to need massive amounts of food plus shoeing and veterinary care. You probably need a special place like a barn to care for the critter. When my season is over, I fill the gas tank with a preservative in the fuel and plug it in to a tine trickle charger. It is ready to go when I am. No fuss, no mess.

[Elkhunttoo]

IMG_2198.jpeg (191.56 KiB) Viewed 130 times

I couldn’t choose between all my dogs so I picked one with some of there puppies

[Tigger]

Someone needs to tell Swede's brother he entered him in a pet photo contest!

[Swede]

But I don't have a four-footed friend. I don't think my photo qualifies for the contest, but George used to pack like a mule. He has been my very best hunting companion. George is dealing with congestive heart failure now, but I am hoping he can go with me to camp anyway. If you know the Lord, I would appreciate your prayers for him.

[Tigger]

Swede, I am just teasing you. I hope and pray your brother goes with you this fall and many more.

In an effort to bring a dose of humor to your relationship with your brother, you now need to tell him you entered him into a pet photo contest as an "ass" (you said he "packed like a mule")!!

[Swede]

I will tell him. You do not need to apologize for giving me some garbage. I need it.
I was thinking about the May photo contest and thought I would need to set this one out too. I have never had a critter to use while hunting. Then I thought of George and what a partner he has been. I wish I had the imagination of Indian Summer. He and 7mm just think up great photos. I saw IS's Spring photo and thought I could have done something like that, but it was too late.

[Swede]

I told George about the picture. He just laughed.
BTW: Maybe the photo does qualify if you allow four wheels to qualify as four footed.