I always wanted to hunt dangerous game, in exotic places for the adrenaline rush and the personal challenge.....these never happened. However, realities often alter our dreams. In a life of hunting, I've experienced my first deer kill at age 11 with my elderly grandfather (who in his late 80's, never killed a deer) and, as a very young kid, the hunts shared with uncles, that are no longer around, for mixed bag hunts of squirrels, rabbits, ducks, deer....whatever we encountered. My first trip to the Rockies (Colorado Mule Deer hunt) with my dad's brother, that I really didn't get to know until I was in my 30's. My first Wyoming bear hunt, over bait....observing through tracks his nocturnal visits to my bait. And then, the late evening visit, when after years of hunting experience....I became a "quivering" piece of jello. The first shot attempt.....with safety on! That was like having cold water thrown on me.....instant calm, followed by perfect shot placement. My first Wyoming moose, wanting a Boone and Crockett moose. Almost 3 weeks of strenuous hunting, passing on many smaller bulls....before finding the one. Observed him twice at fairly close range from the left side, once at extreme distance.....proving he was very wide. The shot opportunity came, close range, again only seeing the left. Once down, my 49+" Shiras Moose had deformities on the left side.....still a trophy, but no Boone and Crockett. Being with my wife on her first sheep hunt, a hunt that she never thought about about taking. her trials, and tribulations, culminating in a sheep that "dwarfs" mine"! And, my personal DIY sheep hunt in some of Wyoming's most beautiful country, only to take a sheep that I'm embarrassed to show!
These are but a few of the memories of hunts, some great memories that will never be forgotten or replaced....some that leave lingering disappointments. However, I wouldn't change these experiences for anything. Though if that Alaskan or African hunt were to become a reality, it will be added to the list.....good or bad!
For me, it's not just one hunt, but a lifetime of hunts......successes, failures, memories of those I shared them with, and the dream of the next hunt! memtb