6th Prize
Hunting Journal with Weatherby Logo (100 awarded)
Gene Hook, Ohio
“The morning is crisp, the sky is heavy and overcast, a palate of color paints the tundra as you prepare for your first morning’s hunt in the far north for caribou. Anticipation runs high as your heart races, knowing that the trophy bull of a lifetime is somewhere in that vast colored expanse. You know that your chances are good you’ve managed to hit the migration at its peak...animals are everywhere as you observe the ground move before you. Thousands of caribou follow the trails that have been established for centuries as the migration continues from summer to winter grounds. The soft tundra feels like plush carpet under your feet and the rock laden hillside makes the long walk strenuous and tiring, but the rush of adrenaline makes your physical pain disappear as you identify a large bull on the horizon. He’s a mile off, but your guide says that he’s a real trophy...we have to move fast in order to shorten the distance to get into position for a shot. I know that with a Weatherby rifle on my shoulder, its accuracy and long–range capability will be more than adequate to do the job; its reliability and quality are unquestioned. I just need to get close enough to get a shot. I look back at Tim Ramsey, my close friend and hunting partner for the past 12 years. We’ve shared successful elk, antelope, deer and buffalo hunts together. Could this be another shared moment?
WHAT A DREAM? My heart races just writing this. Tim and I have discussed the possibility of hunting caribou for several years, but finances are always the limiting factor. Most of our hunts have been ‘do–it–yourself’ which have allowed us the ability to put together an economical hunt 10 of the 12 years mentioned above. We’ve learned a lot, been successful at harvesting an animal many of those trips, but to us, success is sharing moments in beautiful country with a friend. We have never been trophy hunters, but have been more than happy to harvest average animals that are representative of the areas that we hunt. We’ve dreamt of participating in a fully–guided trophy hunt, but to this point we have not been able to accomplish that goal, and it continues to be outside our reach. Above and beyond the necessity to harvest an animal on every trip, Tim and I are most concerned with being legal, ethical and fair chase hunters, making sure that everything we do shows respect for the game we hunt, the land we love and the beauty around us that God created. What is a dream? Something that you wish could be, but you know in reality is not likely to occur. Through your Dream Hunt contest, the previously described hunt could happen. It could become reality. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts, my heart, my ‘Dream.’ Good hunting and may God Bless.”