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It’s not always the successful hunting or fishing trips that become the most memorable experiences in the great outdoors. This especially holds true to me, as my ratio of unsuccessful to successful fishing and hunting trips is rather high. Some of my most memorable fishing and hunting trips are the ones where “they got away “ or something happens that can only take place and be seen in nature.
One example of this took place during my time at college in Lethbridge. I was attending the “Conservation Enforcement” program in the hopes of becoming a Fish and Wildlife officer. One weekend, two classmates and I entered a fishing derby on the Milk River Reservoir. The first prize was money and being broke college students was all the incentive needed.
Jigging was the preferred method to fish but we decided to rig up one hole with the biggest smelt ever, 20-pound test, and run heavy cord from the leader to a good-sized piece of wood. We laughed about how this rig was going to move us from eating Kraft dinner each night to every second night.
It was nearing the last hour of the tourney when one of the guys, while staring at our monster fish rig said, “Hey! Look at the stick!”
We watched in disbelief as it started to wiggle back and forth and then start sliding across the ice. For ten minutes I battled that fish. To this day, I can still hear the cries of my buddies as the 20-pound test line snapped.
Another memory I’ll share was during a sheep hunt. It took place at night while lying in a tent on top of a mountain. I heard the scurrying of a rodent outside our tent. After a few minutes of listening to it, my hunting partner woke up and sat straight up asking, “What did you put on face?” It was at that moment that I realized and whispered, “Something is inside the tent.”
For five minutes we sat there in the dark with our sleeping bags pulled tightly around our faces listening to whatever it was move around the tent. After what seemed like an hour, I asked, “Did you leave your door open?” His reply was, “No, did you?” I will never forget the look on that packrat’s face, as the light from my headlamp lit up the tent with my buddy yelling at it. After that, we both closed our tent doors, laid back, and shared a huge laugh.
Watching animals in their natural habitat will leave some of the best memories a person can ask for. The time I was hunting in the Battle River Coulee and witnessed a pack of coyotes take down a healthy deer will always stick with me. The way this pack worked together showed me how smart they are. It also showed the rawness and brutality nature can have. Other experiences I will have for the rest of time are seeing wolves up close. It’s as though their eyes are burning right through you. Having a pack of wolves howling outside your tent in the middle of the mountains is a sound you will never forget. Waking up to find bear tracks outside your tent, finding huge bear tracks over top of your tracks when returning to camp, and running into a grizzly bear at close range are moments no one forgets.
Another cool experience happened when I was fly-fishing on the Crow River. An Osprey came crashing down into the river just upstream of me and ended up with its talons stuck in a huge whitefish. Just as I was about to throw a rain jacket over the struggling bird and provide assistance, he broke free. For a split second, I thought about claiming the whitefish as my own but let it float away instead. These experiences in the outdoors define who we are as outdoorsmen and women and our love of nature.
The year, my daughter was old enough to hunt and she begged me to take her hunting deer. Being a typical dad, I was not going to fail her and do everything I could to ensure she got one.
We headed to the relatives’ ranch, which has a healthy population of whitetails. The trees were hanging with hoarfrost setting the backdrop to a beautiful winter wonderland. Each day, we were able to put stalks on whitetails but could never seal the deal. It was great seeing her learn and grow from each experience.
On the third evening, as we were heading to a sitting spot, a small buck crossed the road 200 yards in front of us. I told my daughter, “I know where he is going.” I backed the truck up and drove into the field adjacent to the bush. After parking, I grabbed the gun from the backseat and said to my daughter, “Let’s go!”
After running about 40 yards through the bush, it opened up to a dry slew bed. Norah set up the shooting sticks and put in her earplugs. I handed her the gun and gave a grunt on the deer tube. She whispered, “Is it loaded Dad?”
I replied, “Loaded. Just take the safety off and get ready.”
It was as if the moment was choreographed between the deer and me. He came out of the trees across the slew and headed straight for us. At 40 yards, he turned and stood broadside. I whispered, “Take him when you’re ready.”
The sound of the trigger snapping with no fire echoed across the slew and through my brain as if I had just been shot. The young buck stood for a few seconds but not long enough to get one chambered. It looked as if he was smirking as he ran away. After things settled down, my daughter started laughing and said, “Dad, you sure sweared a lot.”
Although my daughter did not get a deer that year, we will always remember that trip. Not only did she learn and see a lot, but she also loves telling that story every hunting season to whoever will listen. We laugh about it every time.
Most of us can agree that it’s not necessarily those successful hunting and fishing trips that are the most memorable; rather, it’s those times spent with our friends and families that are the most memorable... although being successful does help. LOL! ■
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