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On January 2, 2019, Ian Mason, my best friend and adopted brother, drove his son Markus to my humble abode in High River to start his apprenticeship as a hunter in Alberta! I am so proud of this young man and his accomplishments! He has much to be commended for. His parents, Ian and Cindy Mason, grandparents, Tim and Jane Mason, and Harley and Joan Earls’ family must also be so proud of this young man!

He has won more rodeo buckles than any 12-year-old that I know! Real cowboys win their belt buckles (see “Hunting with Teddy”, Alberta Outdoorsmen, February 2019). I bought mine when I was working for the Calgary Stampede Board.

He finished his Alberta Hunter Training course through AHEIA with a grade of 94% – excellent for a 12-year-old.

Markus and his brother Joel, Ian and I attended the SCI Calgary Fundraiser supper where they met David Little, President of Calgary SCI, and TJ Schwanky and Vanessa Harrop of The Outdoor Quest TV Show.

The week after his birthday, Markus completed his Canadian Firearms Safety Course under yours truly with a 99% average. Well done Markus! I have taught the Canadian Firearms safety Course to both families and they all achieved high marks so it was a natural for him to do well.

When Markus was born, a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 6.5 x 55 mm Swedish Mauser cartridge was gifted to him; he received it when he was about 8-years-old (much to the chagrin of our mutual friend, neighbour, and local gunsmith, Yvan Lejeune of High River Gun Works. Sorry Yvan, Markus got that one! I don’t give many guns away!). I have a few guns that will go to my brother Steve when I pass on to the happy hunting grounds and I have already told Markus and Joey they can ask him for whatever guns they want and he will make the final decision. They are getting a couple revolvers for sure.

Hunting is not always how you plan it; Murphy always seems to get involved.

Ian and Markus – who has the biggest smile?
On Remembrance Day 2019, Ian, Markus and I were hunting north of Calgary on family property among the rocks where the deer like to hide but alas, the wind was very strong and the deer were nowhere to be seen. So much for Plan A.

When we moved to another part of the ranch, Markus and his dad spotted a monster mulie buck. I went separately from the dynamic duo to cover more area and to push some bush, hopefully sending a nice buck their way. I cut across fresh tracks and saw a nice 4x4 mulie buck going north on the ranch. I caught up to them and saw they were hunkered down looking to the west across a small valley. I was going to suggest that we go after the 4x4 until I saw the cranker that they were watching.

Now for Plan B. Again, the wind was very strong and we couldn’t get any closer without being spotted. There was a smaller buck with him who kept getting close, jeopardizing the shot. Markus can do a 250- to 300-yard shot so we felt that 265 yards was attainable. He has practiced with this rifle, so this should be a chip shot!

I don’t know if it was the wind, nerves, or uncomfortable shooting position, but Markus fired three times at Mr. Big 5x5 and hit about 16 inches in front of him in a nice two-inch group. Such is hunting;  the deer walked off alive and well.

We followed him for a while to look for a blood trail but Mr. Big didn’t show any signs of being hit and he didn’t present another shooting opportunity.

Markus with his mule deer buck (top) and his whitetail buck.
Time for Plan C. After we had split up again, I heard a shot and then another in the distance. Markus had made a nice standing shot at 165 yards. It was getting just past sundown so we had to field dress the deer as quickly as possible, and then haul it to the shop. It was a great day.

Ian blooded his son, his Grandpa Tim Mason congratulated him, and Grandma Jane and I gave him a Waidmanns Heil! Welcome to the traditions of a hunting family. It was a Remembrance Day we will never forget.

Next came the whitetail buck that was harvested around High River. While going into town for supplies, a herd of deer with a few bucks were seen on a farm. Ian called the farmer and asked if his 12-year-old son could get his first whitetail buck there. The farmer said, “No problem,” and told him the best place to ambush them and wished him good luck!

Markus and Ian went out a couple of times but a wily old doe busted them so the bucks got away.

Finally, it all came together; the deer were in the right place, Markus was in position, and the shot was good. A 3x4 buck went down. More deer for the freezer!

I had a partner tag for Markus from my mulie doe draw. We hunted them but never got a good shot at one, but that is hunting; sometimes you end up with tag soup.

I hope to get my bull moose draw next year and I cannot think of anyone I would rather share my hunt and my partner tag with than Markus.

I’m always happy when my students do well and since his family is so close to me, I am especially proud of his achievements. I’m looking forward to future years of hunting with my friend Ian and his sons and sharing the ups and downs of the chase for wild game with them. ■


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