The Buffalo Hunt

For those of you who don't know... Jathan put my name in for the Buffalo hunt (I had no clue) and I drew out.

I was a little less than excited considering I was 6 months pregnant when we found out we would be going on this hunt.

These once in a life time tags are quite expensive... we drew out in April in the middle of finals so Jathan was not going to work because of his huge school load.

We got on KSL and sold a horse, a goat, our scout and Jathan's RC Racer...

We were then able to afford our bills.... it was CRAZY!

I had a bit of anxiety getting ready for this hunt. I was just so nervous about my little troop and was not sure how this was going to play out. But everything went very smoothly, thanks to all the help we had! My mom and dad came, my Mom helped with little troop, he went all over the mountain with us! Ray and Aaron came to help but Aaron was sick so Ray spotted solo. Brad and Rebecca came and Reba watched my little Zanna. Brad and Dusty were the best little spotters out there! Dusty sat up on a ridge forEVER!!! and found me a nice large bachelor bull. And Jathan was the best hunting coach you could ask for!

So this was the ride up to the tippy top of the ridge where Dusty spotted the bull. That was a LONG ride!

It was the most crazy terrain. So rocky and rugged and there were burnt trees everywhere.

This was not even to the top of the ridge yet. That Mountain was SO HIGH!

So here he is! My big bad Buffalo. I have never hunted before and I was really nervous. It was such a crazy feeling, it was exciting and exhilarating sneaking along the ridge of the mountain. We were about 240 yards away from the Bull and the guys got me all ready to shoot. He was facing us so we had to wait for him to turn his head so there would be a larger area for me to shoot at. Once he turned his head they gave me the go ahead. I steadied the gun, aimed and shot.... HOLLY CRAP! He was down with in like three seconds... I felt so bad I wanted to cry... but then I was so happy I got him in one shot... so many mixed emotions.

He is a huge beautiful creature. And I look like a regular ol hunter. Jathan offered a very nice prayer for the Buffalo.

Me and my Pappy! I was so happy he could be there with me.

The crew! Dusty is in all the Camo on the left. He was an amazing help! He knows those Mountains like the back of his hand.

My dad getting the horses ready to take the Buffalo off the mountain. Dusty took me back to the truck where my mom was tending Troop on the 4wheeler. Then he headed back up the mountain to help. They had to use the horses to get the Buffalo to the 4wheelers, then the 4 wheelers took the buffalo to the truck which then took the buffalo to camp. That was a six hour endeavour for all these men.

Before I headed off the mountain Dusty spotted some super large bucks. Here we are checking them out.


Another shot of Mi Papa up on the mountain.

Dusty on the 4 wheeler.

Brad on the 4wheeler, heading up to help us out (when I say us... I don't mean me... I got to go back to camp with my little 3 month old baby while the men did all the dirty work!). He was spotting in another area when we called him in on the radio to let him know I got one.

Zanna and Andelyn playing in the creek along our camp. This creek had area's with quick sand... We had to watch them closely. They had a lovely time wandering around our camp. Zanna had a bit of a rough trip. She decided to put on the grumpiest pants she could find and about drove me to pulling my hair out.

Jathan put a line of Buffalo blood across his forehead. This is a Navajo ceremonial action.

Check out all this meat. We have about 250 lbs of Buffalo meat now.... where on earth am I going to keep it all??

The Dad's!

Jathan, Brad and Ella.

Me and my little Trooper! I absolutely love this little guy. He did so fabulous. He slept in my sleeping bag with me every night and didn't make a peep (other than to eat)! He really was a Gem! I don't think many three month old baby's can say they have been on a Buffalo hunt... well mostly because they can't talk... te he!

Me and my honey and Raisin!

Zanna playing about the mountain with her trusty wheel barrell.

My Mom and Reba in deep intellectual conversation.

Grandma taking Zanna on a little bareback ride. Zanna LOVES the horses. She always wants to be riding or petting one.

Cute little friends.

It sure felt great to get home and get me and my kiddos bathed and sleep in our warm, clean beds.

We truly had a great time. Everything went so smoothly and I was very grateful we got our Buffalo on the second day there since Jathan had to get back to school the next day.

I can't believe I shot a Buffalo.... It was a good experience and I feel like I accomplished something great. Especially since we will use every part of that Buffalo. The meat, the fur will be a rug, and many other parts will be used for Jathan's family's dancing. I don't know that I will want to hunt many more animals... but now I know I can which can if I ever need to.