Christmas Tree Hunting

This year we had better luck hunting deer than a Christmas tree. It was a tough year to find one that was just right. It was still fun to have an excuse to get out and enjoy the beauty of winter. Autumn and Porter love going for rides, so it was worth it. They liked the snow and they were excited about their new gloves.

Here are some pics by the decorated tree.

Brayden & Paula's Deer for 2009 (One big, one small)

Well we both got deer this year. Mine took all three seasons and just a couple days before the close of the rifle hunt. I must say that I had a blast hunting deer this year. I have not enjoyed it this much for a long time. Brayden was a trooper and would stay home with the kids while I would go looking for deer. Brayden found one spot that was my honey hole. I was on deer about every day and saw some really nice ones (170-180 class bucks). I came within 80 yards of a beautiful four point during the bowhunt, but he winded me and took of. Man I still have a lot to learn about hunting. I finally shot this two point at about 250 yards while he was trotting away. I was standing up and shot him free hand. I must say again that I LOVE Brayden's gun. He went down after a few steps. The kids were with us on this hunt which was really fun. Autumn will still out of the blue say, "Mom shoot a deer?"

Brayden's deer is obviously much bigger than mine. He shot this beauty on the Pansaugant during the muzzleloader season. We all went camping as a family and endured 20 degree nights, cold windy days, and a trip to the emergency to patch up Porter's forehead after a stumble in the trailer. The twinners were super troopers and went hunting with us every night. They did so good and hardly complained about spending 4-5 hours a night in the truck. After one week of hunting, on Friday night, we were all sitting in the truck watching a water hole. It was amazing the amount of deer that were coming into the water. This nice buck came in three different times and on the third time Brayden decided to take him. It had his back leg shot off by another hunter which was the final deciding factor in shooting him. I got the shot on video and in the background you can hear Autumn, "Daddy shoot a deer." It was so fun to have Autumn and Porter with us. I'm glad we stuck it out through the cold and were able to see dad shoot this awesome buck.

Hanging out in the trailer.

Porter at the hospital.

Porter looking AWESOME in his thermal PJ's.

Brayden glassing for deer.

The beauty himself. . . deer or man, you decide!

The whole family.

Speed Goat Hunt '09

October 9-11th we went hunting by Loa for doe antelope tags that I drew. The weekend involved A LOT of driving, but it was a very fun hunt. We brought our tent trailer to camp in. Let me tell you how much I love that thing! It makes camping with the kids much more comfortable for multiple night camping. It is one of my favorite purchases. We didn't see much on Friday night, so we came home to some yummy dinner and just hung out until bedtime. Saturday I got up bright and early and hiked up the hill by our camp. We had seen some antelope there the night before, just before dark, so I thought I'd try to find them in the morning. No luck this time, so I headed back to camp. We ate breakfast and headed out in the truck to see what we could find. We drove for a couple of hours and around 11:00 we found a herd about 1000 yards away. I grabbed the gun and my pack and went after them. Luckily they were in terrain that had a lot of rolling hills so it wasn't too hard to sneak up on them. I got within 450 yards and something spooked them over the next ridge. They weren't looking at me when they spooked, so I thought I'd continue my stalk. I reached the place they were before they spooked and was able to peek over the hill. There they were! I was so excited. They had no idea I was there. They were 340 yards away. There was one that had a collar of some sort. Brayden really wanted me to shoot that one if I had a chance (so did I). I set up next to a tree and made a steady rest with my backpack. The collared goat was wide open. I took my shot and she dropped in her tracks. I didn't even see her move after I shot. The rest of the herd ran about 100 yards up the next hill. Since I had two tags I hurried and set up again where I could see them. They were now 440 yards. I found one standing alone and took the shot. She dropped in her tracks. I was so pumped. Two shots within about three minutes and they both went down in their tracks. I love Brayden's gun. It gets the job done. The hunt was a blast! Brayden's parents and little brothers, Dylan and Chase, came that evening. Dylan and Chase had drawn the same tags as I had. We went out with them the next day with no luck, but still had a good time.

As a side note I was on this hunt when I found out about the death of my step-sister Heather Christensen from a phone message from my dad. I was shocked and my heart went out to my step-mother most of all. She is very close to her children and I knew it would be very hard for her. Heather is an amazing person and I had a great time living down the hall from her in college. She knew how to have fun and loved to laugh. She never compromised her standards and along with her roommates was able to keep the spirit in their apartment. I spent most of my time in their apartment because I liked how I felt when there. After college years she always greeted me with a huge hug and smile. Then she'd update me on the old roommates. She was very motivated and knew what she wanted. She showed a lot of dedication and it paid off. She was doing what she wanted when she graduated to the next stage of life.

More Pics from Blanding - Sept. '09

Brayden and I took the kids glassing for elk one night. They had a blast playing in the dirt and running around the bushes. I hope they grow to enjoy the outdoors as much as their mom and dad. So far it's looking good.

Grizzly Bear, Spike Elk, and Football

Well the time finally came for Brayden to go on his Grizzly Bear hunt in Alaska. He has dreamed of hunting grizzlies since he was about four years old. Luckily this year he drew the hunt at Orem's SFW banquet. It was their grand prize for the evening, worth about $10,000.


He shot a beautiful grizzly on the third day of the hunt. They had chased the bear about 20 miles over two days before he was able to take the 300 yard shot. Brayden is known for his quick shooting and he had two more bullets into the bear before it went down. Even though it was a guided hunt, he packed out the head and hide to get the full experience. He absolutely loved the hunt and said it was everything he could have wanted.






While Brayden flew off to AK, the kids and I went to Blanding to hang out with the Richmond's and try my luck hunting elk during the archery season. On Wednesday, Sept. 2nd, I headed out to South Elk Ridge to the same water hole Brayden killed his bull last year. I arrived around noon to about 10 moo cows taking a drink. My hopes were squashed of ever seeing elk in this water. I had no other ideas so I went ahead and set up our ground blind and sat for the rest of the day. After two hours of sitting I heard some very loud animals walking behind me. I peeked out the window and saw a herd of elk! I was surprised that they came in so soon after the cows. There was one small bull with them that was fun to watch. The elk came right in without hesitation. I thought it was going to be the shortest hunt in my hunting history, but it was not meant to be. I drew back several times trying to get in the right spot so my arrow wouldn't hit the blind. Finally I was able to take a shot, but it was no good. I didn't see anything else for the rest of the night.
I headed to camp by myself and got settled in. I heard a bear growl about four times 50 yards from camp. I debated on going home, but the bear got quiet so I stayed and had a peaceful night. The next morning I headed back to the blind and got settled in. There were elk bugling above and below me. I love to hear elk talk. As I was listening to the bugling I looked up and saw a spike, cow, and calf headed into the blind. I got set up and as soon as the spike gave me a good shot I took it. The arrow hit its mark and he layed down on the bank of the pond. Since I was on my own I felt overwhelmed on what I had to do, but that didn't last long. I was worried about getting the meat taken care of since it was getting warm quick. I snapped a few photos with the timer and got to work. It took four hours to quarter it and pack it to the truck. After five trips it was done! Well kind of, I still had to cut up the meat and freeze it. I admit I felt good to have done it on my own.

Porter and Autumn enjoyed going to many football games with Grandma and Grandpa Richmond. Porter loves football and would get very excited every time we mentioned going to a football game. Autumn also loved going. She likes to move around constantly switching laps. It was a great week for the Richmond family.