Labor Day '14

Russ and I both had Labor day off this year (well in 2014), so we took the opportunity to take Ash, Jake and the kiddos up one of our favorite 4-wheeling trails. We went up to Walsburg and the 4-wheeled up to Daniels Summit Lodge, at lunch at the restaurant and then 4-wheeled back down. Of course we're always down for some good 4-wheeling but it was fun to have the kiddos take turns riding with us, but also to show Ash and Jake the trail we always talk about.

Thanks Labor Day!

RedRock

Early fall we added yet another truck to our truck family-we named him Redrock.

We'd been looking for a while at getting anew vehicle that Russ could use to drive to work. His big truck can be quite a pretty penny to maintain (& put new tires on) and it does not get good gas mileage. With both of those things in perspective with Russ commuting to work now we had decided to get something different.  Russ had his heart set on getting a little Toyota with a manual transmission and seeing as how I'm a truck fan I didn't oppose :) One Saturday morning we were lying in bed looking on KSL and Russ found this little red truck. We called and it was still available so we took off to Orem and after a test drive we were hooked.

That afternoon we decided to break in our new lil hotrod. We loaded up the dogs and took off up the mountain. Redrock is a beast and instantly became our redneck version of a side-by-side.

We love you Redrock!

Russ's archery hunt 2014 & trophy buck

For our journal and keepsake purposes I decided I'd copy Russ's story of his 2014 Archery Hunt-He shot a trophy buck this year and wrote this story for multiple hunting magazines/journals so don't mind the equipment mentioning :)

An obsession with the buck I dubbed " Butch Cassidy" started in the summer of 2013.  I spotted this buck in one of Utah's general units in the  high country in early July. From then on I couldn't get this monster typical out of my mind. I continued to watch the buck all the way up to the start of the archery hunt and began to learn his habits and summer routine.  I am fortunate enough to be apart of Utah's dedicated hunter program, enabling me plenty of opportunity to hunt and pursue this buck. 

     Tthe opening weekend of the archery hunt 2013 put me on the hillside. I commonly watched this buck feeding, waiting for him to bed down in a small strip of ledges where he was on top of the world and could see nearly anything approaching him. Late afternoon found my buck working his way to his bed, and me watching and wondering how in the world i was going to put a stalk on this buck?? After almost walking away and leaving the buck for another day, I had decided to give it my best and try to move in close enough for a shot. As I learned with this buck and other big bucks alike, they don't get big by being dumb! But I was going to try and use his flaw against him. Over the years of stalking big bucks in the high country, I've found that the older smarter deer seem to stay put in their beds when being stalked. If they don't think you know where they are, it's possible to get close.  He was positioned in a way that he was watching over the basin below, but couldn't see very well the ledges above. I made my way to the top of the ledges in hopes he didn't hear me. Loose shale rocks and several dried up dead trees were all that stood in the way between me and my buck. As I made my approach, I happened to bump a couple small rocks and found it impossible to stalk quietly. To my surprise I made it to a nearby fallen log, and peered over to see the buck bedded only 40 yards away. He had no idea I was even there. With mountain goats in the area, I think he may have been used to the occasional falling rock. 

     Now I was facing a very intense waiting game. All I could see was the very tips of his rack. I sat down on the log and settled in for what was to be a once in a lifetime shot! I just needed the buck to stand up, or to shift his body forward enough to expose his vitals. My heart was pounding and my adrenaline racing.  I had a bad case of buck fever! The next three hours seemed like days as I sat and watched the buck enjoying his day clueless to my presence! 

      I could no longer handle the suspense. I had left my water at the top of the ledge and was baking in the 90 degree sun beating down. My buck fever was too much to handle, and I began to toss a couple small rocks in attempt to stand the buck up. Well, it worked, the buck stood up and turned perfectly broadside, still oblivious to my existence. I drew back my bow with the extreme angle in the back of my mind. I released my Mathews bow to send my gold tip arrow, matched with my Montec T3 broad head, right over top of his back. My heart sank as I watched the buck of a lifetime trot away. I just blew it, how could I mess up such a perfect oppurtunity. The hike down was very difficult. All I could think about was all the things i should have done differently? The image of my arrow sailing over his back was to haunt me forever! Still though determined, I couldn't get him out of my mind. 

     I returned to look for the buck several times through out the remainder of the 2013 archery hunt, and spent nearly all of the 2013 muzzleloader hunt in search for him. All of my efforts were unable to turn up this giant typical. I had figured maybe someone else had taken the buck or he had moved completely out of the area. 

     The summer of 2014 brought me back onto the mountain in search for another mature buck. In the back of my mind there was still hope that maybe I would come across

the huge typical four point I missed the year before. A limited number of scouting trips, due to a busy summer, turned up a couple good bucks, but nothing as impressive as my typical four point. 

     August 15, 2014 found me back on the mountain and preparing for another archery hunt. Due to the lack of water in the area, and being 3 1/2 miles from the nearest road, I made several trips in  carrying supplies and water to allow an extended stay in the high country. After setting up camp, I made my way up the ridge towards the same basin where i had missed my buck the year before. With only a couple hours of daylight left, I sat atop the basin and started glassing the area. A deer caught my eye near the ledges. Could it be? At first glance through my Vortex Viper HD scope there was no mistaking that he was back!! Even better then the previous year, he had put on some mass and tine length.  I watched the buck in disbelief as he fed on the same hillside I had hunted him the year before. I watched the buck until the day faded into night. Making my way back to my tent, filled with the same emotions as the year before, I could not be more pumped. Although the sour taste of my miss still haunted  me. 

     After a nearly sleepless night, I arose a couple hours before light to meet up with my cousin Wade. Hiking up to the top of the basin once again, I replayed over and over in my head the failure. I was hopeful that I had learned from my mistakes and would be able to put it together this year. We watched as the horizon began to lighten. As soon as there was enough light to see, I spotted my buck 50 yards from where I'd left him the night before. He had teamed up with two more bucks, a decent 170" 4x4 with a cheater and a goofy non typical 4x2 with a few extras. It didn't take long before the bucks began to feed and started moving along the steep slope. The monster typical took the lead and was on route to the same ledges he bedded last year. I watched in dis belief as the buck fed his way along and proceeded to bed in the exact same bed from where I choked! I can't believe my eyes, I must be dreaming, who gets a second chance at a once in a lifetime shot? 

     The two other bucks followed onto the ledges, only to feed their way back down and bed in the bottom of the basin several hundred yards away from my big typical. 

     The hunt was on! This time armed with my previous experience in stalking the same buck in the exact same location, I felt I may have a little bit of an edge. Still not sure if what was happening could possibly be real! A little slower and a little more cautious I made my stock on the same route. The fallen log being my end goal which would put me, once again, 40 yards from this incredible buck. I arrived and peered over the log to see again his antler tips. Unaware of my presence I settled in for the long wait, this time prepared with plenty of water and snacks. I was determined not to get impatient, I was going to sit there all day if that's what it took for him to stand on his own. 

    Forty five minutes went by, again feeling like days! I managed to keep myself calm this time around. Convinced if I could hold in my excitement until after I release my arrow, I could make the shot. The wind must have swirled, as he started acting a little nervous and within seconds he was on his feet. Standing there at 40 yards broadside was once again,  my buck of a lifetime! I calmly drew back my Mathews bow and settled my pin behind his shoulder. I touched off my release to watch my arrow, this time, flying true, punch right through the buck. Still trying to convince myself that i was not dreaming, my emotions were a little different this time as the buck ran off,  down the ledges. I approached the spot where he'd been standing to find a very good sign, "blood". Only a hunter could understand the feeling and rush of emotions that hits at this point!   All my hard work, all the many hours of practice, all the years of hunting high country Mulies came down to one moment. I finally did it! Reality was far from sinking in of the fact that I'd just put an arrow through a 200" plus buck, with archery equipment, do it yourself, public land hunt, on the buck of my dreams. I was floating in the clouds at this point! 

    After giving the buck adequate time, my cousin and I began to follow the blood trail. Adrenaline still pumping through my veins knowing I had just indefinitely killed the biggest buck of my life. A short distance later found me walking slowly up to a monster antler far above the grass. As I approached the buck I could no longer hold it in, my excitement peaked, and I began whoopin and hollering, There's nothing quite like taking a beautiful animal like this, on their turf, with every advantage on the bucks side. I couldn't believe what I was putting my hands on, I could not have been more Overwhelmed. What an amazing experience! I have the utmost respect for these animals and the mountains they call home. 

     Hunting to me, is much more about the journey than the end result. This was an experience of a lifetime for me, I truly do just enjoy getting out and putting my wits against nature. The fact that this hunt ended with a kill, just made it icing on the cake. I will remember this hunt for the rest of my life. 

    After properly measuring the buck we came up with a gross score of 203 4/8 ". Soon as my waiting to dry time is up- I’ll get him officially scored. His outside spread is only 25.5 ". Inside spread 23 1/8". 

 

Remington

 warning: crazy dog lady post.

One shot Remington aka Remi turned 1 years old on September 2, 2014. Even before Remi came around Russ quickly learned that while we don't have human children that our dogs are considered my babies. Even with that knowledge I don't think he was prepared for what I had up my sleeve for Remi's b-day....

 I researched how to make a "dog safe" birthday cake so I didn't kill my puppy on her birthday, and found a 1 shaped cake pan to bake it in. Let's be honest-I got a little carried away and the cake turned out huge! the dogs were eating cake for days! I bought her a couple new toys for some presents, and then we had a little family get together that night as we watched them eat cake, and fight over the new toys.

In my opinion it was a pretty great birthday party, and I'm pretty Russ was enjoying himself and despite his behavior prior to the event, I don't think he rolled his eyes all night :)

A year ago I fell in love with little Remi, and begged Russ to let us keep her. I had no idea what kind of rodeo we were in for when he said yes, but man am I sure glad he let me keep her! She's a cute little turd, but man she can be a turd! Here's a few facts about Remi and my dog mom version of her one year statistics:
1) She loves to be dirty and/or she's always finding the mud, water, or just plain dirt and loves making a mess of it, herself, the other dogs, and any person or thing around.

2. She's the most playful dog I've ever seen! Rem thinks everything is a game and can't just play fetch because she feels it should be a game of chase, fetch, and tug-a-war all turned into one. One of her favorite "toys" are the dogs food dishes and she would play and chase them around all day long if I'd let her.

3. She's a tease-goes along with as mentioned above. Whether a toy is involved or not she's constantly harassing the other two dogs, and even has a scarred up face to prove it!  Lady is a little more tolerant and ever since Remi was little they can be found wrestling 90% of the time.

4.She is loyal. While she may be crazy and rambunctious-she loves you and is loyal to being your best buddy. Even out in the mountains when there's so much more going on and the other 2 dogs are out and running amuk- Remi remains by your side. She also loves to be close-sometimes too close...

5. She loves to chew on things and always has to have something in her mouth-however she has never chewed on furniture or ruined any shoes, etc... When she was a pup her favorite thing to do was run in the house and go right to our closet to find my slippers. She would then proceed to run around with them in her mouth as if they were her favorite thing and she knew she wasn't supposed to have them.

6. Her ears! Strangely enough Remi's ears have always been a favorite characteristic of hers. While other lab dogs ears go back- Rem's goes forward. I was afraid she'd grow out of it but I'm so glad she still rocks her goofy look.

pardon Russ's haggard look-he had just gotten home from a rough hunt-This pic just shows a real common look of the ol' Remster with those ears going forward.

7. Remi loves kiddos and is really good with them. Much to my surprise Remi is very patient and tolerant of kids. She loves kids so much that at first we had to really teach/restrain her from plowing kids right over because she'd get so excited to see them and would want to lick their faces off. Her and Lexi had the most "problems", Lex always wanted to play and Remi wanted her and her binky.

 8. She is a tug-a-war champ. period.

Happy Birthday Remi girl, we sure love you! Thanks for bringing so much joy through so much chaos, and completing our little doggy family :)

Also have to wish our other 10 pups a Happy Birthday-while it was a wild rodeo at our house for 6+ weeks we sure fell in love with those little guys and hope that their new families are treating them well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUDSON PUPS!