6th Prize
Hunting Journal with Weatherby Logo (100 awarded)
Craig Westfall, Arizona
“My dream hunt would be for me, my wife and 11 year old daughter, who is really starting to get into hunting, is to be able to hunt monster bull elk in New Mexico. My wife was with me for this year’s elk hunt and she loved every minute of it! My daughter wanted to go out with us every day but since we hunt on public land and there were a good number of hunters out there with us, I had my work really cut out for myself.
When I filled my tag I made a phone call to my daughter and she begged her grandma to bring her out to help with the field dressing. Since they where only 45 minutes away my mom jumped into the truck with my daughter and headed out to where we were, she made it just in time to help load it into the truck.
My wife didn’t get drawn again but had a blast helping out any way she could. She had the biggest smile on her face when she watched as I had to sneak into position for a clear shot. She was able to see everything go down. As we both watched and made sure that my bull was down for the count, I could hear her saying ‘YES’ over and over. When we made it down to my downed elk she was so excited, she was pumping her fist like crazy.
I really want both my wife and daughter to be able to feel the rush and excitement of being able to have a chance to take such an awesome animal. Living in Arizona it is not easy to get drawn for good hunts and I don’t want them to loose their interest in hunting due to not getting drawn for six years like myself. I really want to be there for their first successful hunt and be able to see their smiles and reactions, to be on the other side of the camera and listen to them tell how everything happened and watch them grow as hunters.
The reason I choose New Mexico is due to the fact you don’t need to be drawn for every single hunt. I wish I could afford to go over there with my wife and daughter but unfortunately I can’t. Please help me and my family have a dream hunt of a life time.”