A wonderful weekend!

Our good friend Karl arrived last Friday to join us on our annual opening day pheasant hunt.  He makes the trip each fall and we all really look forward to it!  This year was no different and it turned out to be a great weekend.  The weather was perfect...  The kids were happy to be along...  and we even found a few birds.  Karl is an outstanding shot and luck was with him as far as the birds flushing where he could shoot at them. 

Here are a few pictures of the fun!!!

Dane with "his" bird!

Sleeping cutie!

Karl, Grits, and their birds!

Dane and "Grandpa" Karl as he was affectionately named by Dane!

The "traveling circus" (sometimes I think this describes our family perfectly!!!)

Then Sunday we went out to chase antelope...  I had an either sex permit and a doe permit, and Clint had a doe permit.  It was a beautiful day and there were actually a fair amount of antelope.  Unfortunately, I was acting like a total rookie and between leaving my safety on, and the wind I wasn't able to seal the deal on any critters.  Poor Clint made a beautiful stalk on a herd and then some guy came and parked on a neighboring ridge.  Antelope are notoriously skittish and quickly took off when they saw the vehicle.  Clint was moments away from being able to make a shot, so he was understandably cranky about the deal.  Dane had a great time and caught numerous grasshoppers (which he took with him each time we got back in the truck).  I think Clint probably is still finding them! 
Monday we woke up to rain so we decided to get some things done around the house.  Karl was going to come hunting with us, but decided to head back to Washington since the weather was so bad.  Then mid-morning the rain cleared off and the sun peeked through.  So, we took advantage and headed out to see what we could find.  Well, I lucked out and we spotted a buck bedded down that we could put a stalk on.  With some encouragement from Clint (I was feeling a little less than confident after Sunday) I belly crawled out to the edge and was able to get a good shot on a beautiful, mature buck.  He was obviously an old warrior with scars all over his neck and face.  One of his cutters (a part of their horn) was completely broken off.  What an amazing buck with great character. 

Clint was wearing Kimber throughout the whole hunt!!!  Hunter orange, camo, a baby sling, and a pink blanket!  What an incredible hubby I have!

He had the neatest ivory tips on his horns.

Clint offered numerous times, but since he had Kimber I went ahead and packed out the buck.

Then we found a few does bedded down.  Clint was able to make a great stalk and harvested this beautiful doe.