Best 2012 Memory

[Big Fin]

Well, in less than fifteen hours, the year will end. It has been a good one, as they all are. Purpose of this post, other than to wish all of you a Happy New Year, is to ask you to make one post telling of your best memory of 2012.

So, I will start. Doesn't have to be hunting related, but mine will be. Doesn't have to include pics, but we all agree that pics make for a far more interesting post.


With that, here goes.

As many great hunts as I had, with so many great friends, it is hard to choose, but to finally get a chance to spend another elk hunt with my son, takes top prize. All who have kids who have moved away, know how we cherish every day with them, knowing they are off on their own, doing their own thing, making time together scarce.

To share another elk camp with him was enough for me. Getting to watch him shoot a great bull was the best hunt I could have asked for. He and I are already making plans for Arizona in 2013. Can't wait for another elk camp.

May your New Year be filled with health, happiness, friendship, and more hunts than your budget, marriage, and schedule can comfortably accomodate.​

Until next year, CHEERS!

 

[nbell]

Well I just posted it. Great day jump shooting with my son, with a pheasant hunt in the middle. Probably the last rooster triple my dog will get me and my son was there to watch.

 

[noharleyyet]

Madden Kate 4 months old Christmas Day,...by far.

 

[Dinkshooter]

 

[dustinf]

My wife's recovery.

First walk, just before New Years 2012.

About 6 months later.

 

[MNElkNut]

It was hard picking just one, but the pure joy and excitement of my daughter witnessing her first big game animal being taken was a treasure I will not soon forget. For about 30 seconds after I shot this doe, she was as excited as an 8 year old girl can get! It was a cold afternoon (about 15 degrees) with a stiff wind out of the west when we went out to get some meat for the freezer. I was proud that she didnt complain one bit about the cold and sat looking right into that wind until we saw this deer.

I am thankful that I have a wealth of memories getting my kids out hunting with me this year while they are young (twin 4 year old sons as well as the daughter mentioned above). Being able to share the experiences with them is truly a blessing.

 

[schmalts]

11 year old with a grown up lope

 

[What Map]

Wishing all you OYOA bloggers a fun 2013. Diane and I horse camp up Slough Creek in YNP each year. Always the some of the best times of the year.


An elk we found along the way.

 

[Oak]

 

[shoots-straight]

I would have to say my best memory of the 2012 year was a day hike with my kid.

We climbed Mount Jerusalem on the far southern end of the Bitterroot Range in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness area. The climb starts at 5100 feet and climbs up to around 9400 feet. I might add that the hike is around 14 miles round trip. The kid wasn't wanting to run a foot race at the end of the day.

The Peak

The Kid!

The old guy!

The view looking south into the Selway.

The route.

 

[smalls]

What spring days were made for.

 

[bmack]

Tough to pick just one, but with out a doubt it was sharing a great New Mexico elk hunt with my dad and good friends. He took his best bull to date and it made for an incredible evening in the Gila.

 

[idnative1948]

Sorry, but has to be two-

First up is grandson number one. After his range day at Hunter Ed. Went to the classes with him and to range day because his DH dad doesn't want him to have anything to do with weapons. Funny thing is he already has an invite for whitetail next fall in N. Idaho with his dads uncle.

Second up- Miss Gracie, born a little early on May 1st, now 8 mos old.

 

[mtmiller]

Summer backpacking with my kid.

 

[Lawnboy]

Hard to pick just one but most of my trips with my little ones are fun. This was just one of a few during archery season. Sitting on a hillside with a bull answering below. The boys were having a blast and wanted to go get him.
The more I hang around Fin I realize his advice on marriage and it's relationship to keeping her happy so I can hunt is priceless. Thanks Randy it's working.
Hope you all have a fun and safe new year. Bart

 

[jeffpg]

I hope you guys can forgive me for not being able to list just one event here... I have been so very blessed this year that I simply must share more.

In March, I made the transfer from the Americas region of my company to the African/Middle East region. This gave me more time off and a better income as well and practically took away any excuse to NOT go on Safari in Africa, since I had my transportation provided by my company. The experience far surpassed my wildest imaginations. Below is a link to the hunt report that I wrote on my experience.

http://www.africahunting.com/botswana-hunting-reports/8837-kanana-safaris-adventure-2012-a.html

I also finally made my first hunt for Pronghorn after many years of hunting out west for almost everything else. It was a great experience and I definitely had beginners luck on them!

But the greatest 2 things to come my way this past year are both shown together below...

The first of them to happen was that in June my son & his wife gave me a wonderful gift in the form of my first grandson, Luke Wyatt Graves, and I could not possibly be prouder of him!

And then only about 6 months later, God brought me full circle in life by reuniting me with the real love of my life and my true soul mate, Laurie.

I have never felt more complete and satisfied in my life.

Thank You Lord!

 

[WV Hunter]

Probably the family trip that included the pit stop to Grave Diggers Dungeon. Talk about an easy way to make a 3 year olds day.

Grave Digger

 

[twodot]

Without a doubt, the first week of January, 0-12 was my best week of the past year.
The boys and I were trapping from our home in the breaks and the guys were finally old enough and experienced enough to put it all together and have some success. Was actually one of the best times of my whole life! Sorta got to live out a dream I had had from my youth, with my boys.

 

[Zach]

Great memories for everyone so far, a few that go way beyond any hunting experience(dustinf, very good to see that one!).

Here's mine 3 years in the making..

 

[FishN4Eyes]

I've got a few, hard to choose just one.

Hunted in New Mexico early in 2012 with my youngest daughter, Ally:

Spent three weeks in Africa with my wife and Dad:

And finished up the year hunting in Montana with my two girls, Rylie and Ally with Rylie shooting her biggest bull to date and Ally adding another nice whitey to her growing list:

And got to get my Dad on his best bull yet. Not a monster but the reason he hasn't shot any pigs is he always insists I shoot first.

I had a good season myself, shooting a nice bull and a nice whitetail but the BEST memories were of spending some quality time with my ladies and Dad.

Cheers!