Another Valiant Effort

The 5th and final day started just as the previous ones… up at 4:30 am to get a quick bite and then off to the hunting grounds. In attempts to even out t he odds we decided to cut the crew back to just Roland, Dan and Jake. Three people can get throughthe woods a lot quieter than 5 or 6 and both Roland and Dan were determined to get Jake a mule deer. Amongst the feelings of frustation and exhaustiuon, Jake was also feeling somewhat determined  himself. We had spent the previous four days eyeing antelope and mule deer and up until this point nothing had hit the ground. Today would be Jakes last attempt at harvesting a antelope or big  mule deer and he wasnt going to give up easily. Roland and Dan had decided to take him back out to the private ranch we had been hunting prior and put the stalk one of those big mule deer we had seen on the previous days hunts. After all, we had them patterned and knew where they would be and just needed to catch a break for Jakes sake. Jake was a trooper… he had huffed it up and down the Wyoming mountains for three days and put the stalk on numerous big mule deer only to have all attempts end in the same fashion. The deer either winded us, heard us coming, or just disappeared into thin air before we dcould get close… but thats big game hunting.  After a couple of hours Dan found a nice muley bedded down on the hill side and he and Jake were off once again in attempts to put an Atom broadhead in him. The stalk was successful… they hadnt been seen, heard, or winded by the big muley. With the deer in his scope and broadside at 54 yards, it was now time to end this once and for all. But in all the excitement both Jake and Dan had forgotten the instructions Matt had given them on how to seat the cross bow bolt so the safety would release. No need to go any further as we all know how this one ended… frustration had set in once again. After a quick phone call to Matt they were once again back in the game and off to look for more mule deer. After 6 more hours of the dry Wyoming heat they still were unable to get within bow range of any big deer. So at that point the decision was made to head back to the Mangus ranch and look for the antelope that we had seen all week long on the other side of the North Platte river that runs along side of Dan’s place. We had a big goat in sight feeding on a hill side just up from where we were spotting. Time was running out for Jake and we all wanted to see him go home with something, he had hunted from sun up to sun down for 4 solid days and had yet to make his dream come true. So with all of us watching with binoculars from the ranch hillside Dan took Jake down to the river bank where they jumped into the canoe and paddled across for one last spot and stalk. They reached the other side and began to make the up hill climb in order to get out of the antelopes sight. The big speed goat buck was feeding in the middle of the hillside just above his group of does that were  now down watering on the river bank. Then just as we all figure out that the wind had switched and they were in a bad spot… it was all over and the goats were off to the races. The final attempt to get Jake a Wyoming critter would also fail… both his tags would be left unfilled. We were all absolutely beside ourselves as we wanted nothing more than to see Jake to go home with the memory of a lifetime. He had hunted so hard every single day and if “effort” meant filling tags then Jake would have filled them both the first day. He was humbled to say the least, but now has a different outlook and respect for what it takes to harvest wild animals with a bow. No one deserves more credit for giving it his all and hanging in there until the final hour. Jake never gave up, never once complained, never said he was tired, never got discouraged, and just kept waking each and every morning knowing he had a new day ahead of him and wondering if  it would be the day. Jake Meyer is a sportsman through and through and we were honored to have spent the week with him and his mom Teri. 

It was now time for dinner… Roland had made some chicken fried antelope and white gravy that was out of this world, we all ate until we were ready to bust. Then it was time to head down stairs to get our stuff packed and get ready for what would be a very long evening getting back into Denver for a 6:15am departure. After we all had our stuff packed and loaded into the truck we hung out dwonstairs where Roland Whitt entertained us all with some of his latest songs. For those of you who know Roland… it was a time full of fun and laughfter and definitely an evening to remember. At the strike of midnight we all headed up to say our goodbyes to grandma and grandpa Mangus and to thank them for their warm hospitality and  for putting up with Roland all week… what wonderful people they are.  Now looking down the barrel of a 4 hour ride into Denver… Matt, Chris, Jake, Teri and myself pile into Matts big ol’ truck and head out down the long dirt road leading out of the Mangus ranch one last time. As much as we all wanted to get back to our families and loved ones, sorrow had set in and we all realized that we didn’t want to leave. Just about two hours into the trip Jake began to realize that the chicken fried antelope he had for dinner was a little too much for him to digest. So with all that spicy, rich food running through him like one of those speed goats crossing the meadow he said he needed to find a restroom… and fast! Now being out West in the middle of no where doesn’t mean a Quick-Stop at every exit so finding a restroom at 2am was a bit of a chore and Jake was running out of time. We finally came across a hotel and before the truck was stopped Jake said “this is good enough” and bailed out sprinting to the front door. After the long pit stop Jake resurfaced with beads of sweat on his forehead and a sigh of releif. We were off once again, this time only to make it about three more exits before Jake realized the chicken fried antelope wasnt finished with him just yet… “I need another restroom” he says with a sense of urgency in his voice. Again, every gas staion we come across is closed and Jake is once again running out of time. Thank goodness for hotels, we fianlly found another and Jake was once again in business… or should I say once again doing his business. After we all poked a little fun at him, mom included, we were back on our way to Denver to catch that early morning flight back home. Two more hours had past and we were checking in our bags… we had made it at last and home was finally the next stop. 

We were all absolutely exhausted… I think everyone was asleep before the plane left the gate. I woke to a wet shirt and steady stream of drool coming out of my mouth and the rumbling of the jet engines as it was coming to a stop. The people sitting next to me were looking at me kind of funny so I’m guessing that between the drool and me snoring like a chainsaw I was quite entertaining without even trying. But hey! that didn’t matter we were home at last.

From all of us at Flies and Fletching, Arrowdymanic Solutions, Roland Whitt  Country Music, Wilderness Outfitters and the entire Mangus family, we would like to say thanks to Jake Meyer and his mom Teri for hanging in there all week long and being the wonderful peopel they are. Jake is a tried and true “big game hunter” and reminded us all of how we used to be at his age. He’s only 14 but Jake has the the kind of personality, determination, and drive that will not only take him far as a big game hunter but will take him along way in today’s world. We were honored to have spent this past week with him and look forward to keeping in touch with him and his family. Mom and Dad, you should be very proud of the boy you have raised, he will be a fine young man very soon.         

We will be posting pictures from the trip this week so be sure and check back in the next day or so. Thanks again to all the folks who made this hunt possible, without our good friends and sponsors we would’nt be able to do this type of thing for these kids. When at all possible, take a kid hunting or fishing, you’ll be glad you did.

Until next year…. be safe!