.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
This 2012 Elk hunt, for me, turned out to be like none other. I’ve had the privilege to be on lots of elk hunts in my life, but I had the opportunity this year to be part of a hunt that brought all of those involved rewards they had not expected. Most hunts create a bond between people that is only understood by being there, but this hunt went beyond that, and created lifetime friendships among people who gave freely of their time, energy, and talent.
It wasn’t my hunt. The story starts with Courtney Carder, a woman with limited hunting experience, a love for the outdoors, and a long time desire to hunt elk in Arizona. But numerous years of unsuccessful draws and the passing of time had not allowed the opportunity. Besides tags being very hard to come by, Courtney also has an added challenge of not being able to hunt in ways many of us take for granted. She has limited mobility and a condition that causes her great difficulty walking on uneven surfaces without assistance.
We all routinely jump in and out of trucks, hike and climb as we hunt, without thinking about our blessing to do so, but she must get help to do these things. She was finally convinced to apply for a CHAMP tag and at long last she drew an any elk tag in 2012. She was anxious and uncertain as to how the hunt might unfold, but exited and overjoyed to finally have a chance at a quality Arizona rifle hunt, an opportunity that hunters around the country dream of.
How to begin? Courtney relied on and trusted a good friend to help her approach the hunt in November. Word went out and people began to show up and agree to go on this hunt. Most of them had never met Courtney, but immediately agreed to be part of this hunt and take on the challenge. None would accept money for their time and expertise. That is the generosity and sportsmanship one so often sees among us. Hunters are generally very good people, and this group was willing to be part of something new and beyond themselves. Courtney was gracious enough to accept the help. This was her time, and she brought her two amazing teenage girls with her, Emily and Molly, to share in the experience.
Steve Mollinoux, Chris Massy, Kelly Gibson, and Paul Pavlich all volunteered to help in various ways. Paul set up the camp, arranged all the food and agreed to feed everyone. The others all signed on to guide Courtney, provide a comfortable camp, and figure out various ways to hunt Bulls in a unique situation. Strategies were to include glassing, driving, sitting tanks, waiting above canyons and trails, and reading sign.
We drew a cold snap in the weather in early November and awoke daily to freezing temperatures and a day or two of rain and snow. Opening morning elk were spotted and put to bed. Courtney sat above a canyon all day, in and out of a vehicle in the freezing cold, watching and waiting for a chance, and eventually all of 5 bedded bulls slipped out in the evening without presenting a shot.
Into day two, this determined hunter decided she was not going to shoot a cow, and passed on several opportunities to shoot both cows and smaller bulls. She had her heart set on a 6 point bull and was sticking to it. This was a courageous decision given the limitations of this hunt, but a self challenge she decided to stay with through Monday, her last day to hunt. Was she stubborn? Maybe a little.In short, the hunt went on and an instant and deep bonding took place between Courtney and her new friends and guides. Laughing, cutting no slack, and shared goals created a time nobody there now wanted to miss. These were guys who were very busy, yet willing to give it their every effort for someone they had never met, simply because they love to hunt and help a worthy hunter. Courtney showed unshakable determination and drive, hunting all day long every day, passing shots, and having a great time with experienced hunters, learning. She fit in with the scene and the boys. We all laughed, shared great meals and stories at the end of the day, and cherished the time to hunt and share a fire with great people. Those who have done it understand.
Day 4, Courtney’s last available day came and a long shot at a huge bull presented itself, but it was a miss. She packed up, bit her lip, and headed home to Phoenix with super memories of the time on the land in a real elk camp. The sights, smells, laughs, and tears were done. There was so much to be grateful for, but it was hard to go away without an elk.
Tuesday, the phones began to ring. Courtney, a principal at an elementary school in Mesa, was trying to rearrange multiple schedules to drive back to the northland by herself.“ I have to give it one more day”, she told Steve. “Can you shake free?” Steve and Chris agreed and arranged to meet her early Wednesday morning. It was a last chance day, and at the least, one more glorious day in the field. Another missed opportunity in the morning put a quiet time into the morning, and the clock began to run, something we have all felt as hunters.
But true to her personality, she was willing to stick to it to the end. Chris had to go to work so Steve stayed with her for the day. They looked at lots of country and remained positive but the warm days had returned and the elk were not moving. Still, she had come with a motivation to hunt I have not seen in many healthy strong men, who quit when it gets tough, or worse, turn negative in their attitude. She was an inspiration.
There were literally 10 minutes of shooting light left when Steve spotted the bull. He turned to her and directly and sternly told her, “Shoot that bull”. Courtney struggles with the weight of the rifle, but not this time. Her adrenaline took over. She got the rifle up and focused and squeezed. It was a perfect hit at 300 yards.All pictures and celebrations between the two had to take place in the dark. What a great end and show of persistence by Courtney. It was also truly a generous show of time, effort and respect by Steve. Chris and Kelly drove all the way out to the unit in the night to help celebrate and give her a hug. She then made a middle of the night trip back to Mesa to be at work the next morning. Courtney is what hunters should be made of. Never once did she complain about the weather, the cold, or any aspect of the hunt. That is motivation and a will to hunt. She took a fine Arizona bull with determination and the help of some great guys.
