Raising Them Right 2

[Indian Summer]

I had a "Raising Them Right" thread in the deer forum. I mentioned that I'd guided a lot of people to elk. When it's their first elk it's a different ballgame. There's only one first. This is my niece Aiyana. She was 13 at the time which was 3 years ago now. Earlier in the season my brother on the right helped me out by dragging her along in typical timber hunts with no luck... which made her appreciate the hunt with Uncle Joe. (grin) The spot is a true honey hole for late season migrating elk. I waited all season for them to show up. You can see them from the highway so it's important to check every day and be the first to see them arrive. I found them the night before when I drove up to glass. Man was I excited. She probably thought yeah yeah here we go again but I told her this will be the day. When I rounded the last bend at the fire tower.... they were bedded in my parking spot! It was still dark and I killed the headlights and drifted backwards. They didn't run but walked around the curve of the hill. At first light we peeked over the top of the hill and there they were, about 60 head. I coached her and said "You have all the time in the world honey. No hurry at all so just do what you've done all along at the range and when you're ready go ahead and take her" She is a crack shot and made a perfect shot. We showed her the gutless method and strapped an unboned front quarter on her pack and hung it on her shoulders. Needless to say It felt like zero gravity to me because I was on cloud 9! To this day when she is in elk camp there is nothing that makes me feel better than hearing her say "Can I go with uncle Joe today" It's like getting your paycheck over and over and over. Most memorable elk I've ever guided a hunter to no doubt.

[Indian Summer]

Aiyana is also a musher. She has 28 (and counting) sled dogs. A huge commitment for a kid. She's been at it since she was 9. At 13, only months after killing the elk she ran the Junior Iditarod in Alaska. 150 miles over night with no outside contact. There were some veteran mushers and kids who's parent had won the Iditarod such as Mitch Seavey's 18 year old son who won. They got a record snow in more than in 30 years of running the event... 3 feet in one night. I won't lie I was scared for her. The kids had GPS transponders on their sleds and I sat in Pennsylvania glued to the computer for 2 days watching her progress. Over half the kids didn't finish because of the weather. Some got lost. It was pretty serious. But on day 2 she placed 3rd and while we bit our nails to the bone she crossed the finish line with a huge smile on her face. I know a few baddasses I can tell you but she is at the top of the list of all of them. We're all sure proud of her.

[Indian Summer]

Little musher.

[Elkduds]

Taking youngsters hunting is a life-changing experience. These are my most meaningful trophies:

[ishy]

That's awesome.

[Hard Knocks]

She sounds like an awesome kid with a ton of determination,Congrats to the both of you!

[LckyTylr]

My Son is still a few years away from hunting camp but he'd rather be outside with Daddy than anywhere else. He's almost 2, here's a few pics.

[LckyTylr]

[LckyTylr]

[Bullnuts]

Awesome kids and awesome commitment to family and the tradition. I love seeing kids partake in the outdoors, whether it's hunting or fishing, and can't wait to pass the traditions down to another generation of little Bullnuts when the time comes. The best feeling in the world is waking up on a Saturday morning to see my oldest, now 17, dressed in camo and heading out the door to hunt ducks with his friends at 5 am! Pass it on!