I Ain’t Proud – But
When you’ve been married to the same gal for over 35 years there shouldn’t be any more surprises, should there? It seems the longer Sue and I are together the more I’m convinced a book about her would have to be done in volumes and certainly not in paper back. Sue came from a hunting family but when we were first married she was content to just go along with me and not participate in the actual hunt. I did get her a cow elk tag once when she was about 20, and took her into the remote country along with some relatives to see how she would do with the .308 I had bought her. We managed to scare some cows by her and her sister Christy, who didn’t waste any time dispatching her cow. Sue was so excited for her that she forgot to shoot. I guess this is one of the things that drew me to her as she has no envy, but is excited for everyone else’s success’s.
When do we quit calling her a beginner bow hunter?
During the next 29 years there was kids to take care of so I didn’t realize what was brewing inside her. I bought her a bow because she thought she would enjoy shooting it, even at targets. She took to it like a fish to water and hasn’t looked back.
Two years ago when she drew on a doe at 30 yards but forgot to nock an arrow, I realized she too is subject to the adrenaline rush. In my book though this is good as I knew then she loved it. One year ago she had a moose at 20 yards and then at 14 yards and forgot to keep her finger off the trigger till she was dialed in, but then settled the pin at 11 yards and I knew she had what it took to get a hold of her nerves. It still amazed me what she had accomplished in such a short time.
This morning I am sitting in my office with a Monday morning attitude sifting through and prioritizing my work and the lady at the front desk rang me and says, “Its Sue on line one and it sounds like she won the lottery or something.” Well, when you hear words like that I hesitated in picking up the line as I wondered what it could be that makes her that excited. Did the horses get out on the highway? Is all the family okay? The last I had seen her I was headed out the door this morning for my walk at 5:45 and she was eating her bowl of cereal. When I got back she wasn’t there so I had glanced at the bow rack and, yup her bow was gone. I knew she had been eye balling a herd of deer that passed through our property now and then and since we had seen them the night before I figured what was going through her mind. There was about 8 or nine does, a spike, a forky and a nice 3 pt. in the bunch. That is tough to hunt with that many eyes looking out for the good of the herd. So as I picked up the phone a smile started across my face as I anticipated what I was to hear, “meats down”, as I figured one of the does was on the way to the freezer. So I answered, “Deer Steaks tonight?” and I got this funny nervous laugh and “Bucks down”. “Bucks down? You got the spike?” “Nope, I got the 3 Point.” Now it was my turn to be speechless. She has flamblasted me again, exceeding all my expectations again. Not only that she is taking care of that buck as I write, she wants to do it herself, to prove to herself she can do it.
I did run home to take pictures, and the same smile was there as when she got her moose. I love it as well as the gal behind it. She never ceases to amaze me.
That is so great. I am tickled for the both of you especially Sue. You know last year was the first time I dressed my buck alone. It’s quite a satisfying feeling just knowing you can do it from start to finish.
Way to go Sue! I think we may need to do an all woman big game hunt sometime in the near future. What do you think?
Time to stop callin her a beginner……..
Congrats to Sue. Very nice picture that shows just how excited she was.
treestandHB is right. She’s no longer a beginner. She’ll be putting on clinics in no time. Nice buck!
Congrats Sue!! once again.. good job.. A lady after my own heart..You have done well girl.. you raised your kids with honor and respect.. now it is time to continue your own passions.. too many women get so caught up in being mom.. they forget to pick their own dreams back up an nurture them once the children no longer need our undevided attention..
Lady.. you have always been a hunter… you passed the whole beginner part many years ago when you went along with your family to share in those special moments..
Again.. CONGRATS!!! I am so very happy for you!
Congrats to the Mrs. That is simply awesome. She needs to come give my wife lessons:) Oh, and don’t tell my wife I said that.
Very Well done, congrats!!!
Awesome, Sue! Nice account, Gary!! I got wind of this via Tom’s comment on facebook!! I think he is very proud of his mom!!
Pam
Congrats Sue. You are a lucky man Gary. You truly have a hunting partner there. A dynamic duo if I ever saw one.
Awesome buck!!!!!!! I will have to check it out at thanksgiving.
This would be the sister mentioned in the story writing.Congratulations,little sister! My,oh my how times have changed.While you were out stalking your buck,I was checking out engraving on napkins!I do have a buck tag this year for the Owyhee unit,and have heard of a non-typical mulie I wouldn’t mind hunting.No bow for me though-I’ve taken every buck I ever shot with my 6mm-a gift from Dad when I was fifteen years old.I’ll leave the true blue,pure hunting to my sis!Now THAT comment ought to incite some interesting blogging!
Well done Susy;
Christy
Congrats to the both of you… her for the accomplishment, and you for being so lucky to have her!
I really need to get back over to this site more often! Good stuff!
Congratulations Sue! (Oh, and Gary too… for getting lucky enough to marry a lady like Sue!) Anyway… I’m sitting here with my 2 year old and 3 month old getting excited about getting back out hunting again once they are old enough to start going with us!
Thanks to You all for the congrats and kind comments… It means a lot to have fellow hunters give such positive support!!… I’m so glad I had the experience of field dressing an animal without anyone there…( Dear Hubby, it made me appreciate that much more what you did for me when you jumped in and took care of that moose last year!!)
Way belatedly, congratulations! What a great feeling that must have been…
Awesome! Congrats!
Hey Gary that’s a “bragging” story if ever I heard one. I’m sure you have many jealous readers out there wondering where they can find a “Sue!” She is definitely one in a million and is the epitome of an “outdoors-women.” Heck she puts most guys to shame with her skills and abilities. You both are “good-will ambassadors to love, marriage, family, and the great outdoors. Thanks for sharing your passion with those that are blessed by your stories.
Way to go, Sue! And what a a great piece of writing, Gary! I read it with interest as I have just returned from my first “real” hunting trip with Randy, my husband of 40 years, our son Kevin, and Kevin’s wife, Jayme.
Like Sue, my only previous hunting experience had been a few short trips with Randy and the boys as an observer.
This year though, Randy bought me a rifle–a .25 Winchester Super Short Magnum, the right clothes (camo, of course!) and some proper hunting boots. Since I’m now semi-retired from teaching, Randy thought it was a good time for me to take a more active role in the family hunting trips. He assured me that I could do it, mounted a nice Leupold scope on the rifle, and started takiing me for walks to break in my new hunting boots and to get me in better shape.
We arrived in Central Oregon on Friday, got camp set up, and did some scouting before settling in for an early night of rest. (4:00 am comes early, you know!)
On opening day, after a long day of driving and miles of hiking, we saw our first deer. Just before dark, we spotted a group of deer in an open area–several does, a spike, and a forked horn. Unfortunately, by the time I got out of the truck, the spike and the forked horn had walked into the trees and I couldn’t get a good shot. It was too late to try to track the bucks, but I did get some practice sighting in the does with my new scope, so it wasn’t a complete loss.
And there’s always next weekend…
Sue… that’s so exciting to hear that you’re picking up a rifle after all the years of observing!… please keep us updated on how the rest of your deer hunt goes!
Great Job, Sue! What an awesome story!
Yep, I think she’s definitely not a beginner anymore. That excitement is what keeps us all going. Congrats to Sue!!