During the year of 1972, I Wanted to take Kevin on a deer hunting trip before we go on our annual hunts with the group. This year we had two trips planned: One to return to Clear Creek at the large pine trees and the other to go to Canyon Creek. Each of these trips would be for about a week or so if we could get time off from work. Kevin was going to school and working at M and W Market, so his hunting time was limited to just one day occasionally. Harry and I Came up with the idea of going somewhere on Grimes Creek. We talked to Uncle Lewie and Aunt Lucy about going with us. They thought it was a promising idea. Plans were made to go next Saturday. Kevin purchased a .30-06 rifle that fell from his earnings, but it did not have a scope on it. About that time, I had purchased a scope for my rifle, but I had not used it yet. I put it on his rifle as a gift. We sighted it in to be dead on at one hundred yards. This would be his first trip with the rifle. We had big hopes of finding a deer for him to shoot.
The group met at a pre-arranged spot-on Grimes Creek, above Old Centerville. There were timber groves and large patches of aspen trees on both sides of the creek. There could be deer about anywhere in such beautiful terrain. Harry and Uncle Lewie went up the left side while Kevin and I would go up the other side. We spread out to cover more of the area with plans to be back at the trucks around noon time if nothing was shot. Aunt Lucy would stay close to camp, she likes to go on trips but cannot get around well enough to go out hunting. This time l let Kevin go out on his own. He found a tree covered hillside to hunt on. It looked like a fine place to find a deer if any were around this year. I told him I would be within the area somewhere if he needed me to help him, but he was on his own. Harry would stay close to Uncle Lewie while they were up on the hill. We like to use the buddy system most of the time in case someone shoots a deer. Two people working to get a deer out is much easier. A couple of hours went by without anyone seeing a deer or even some fresh tracks.
Suddenly a shot echoed across the valley from Kevin’s direction. All was quiet, then another shot bounced off the hills. I knew Kevin had found a deer and the second shot was to finish it off. I started over in his direction when I heard him hollering and whooping it up. He had been sitting on a stump watching for anything moving around through the trees. A big fat doe tried to Sneak past him. She knew there was something wrong in the wind but could not see or smell him. Kevin took his time, so he could make a clean killing Shot. He hit her through the chest just missing her heart by inches. He had learned not to assume the animal was dead before approaching it too close. The second shot was to make sure she was done for. Lt did not take me long to get over to him. He was still jumping up and down making noise. He was happy getting a deer on his own. I was proud of him. However, being a proud father didn’t-t alter the fact that this deer was going to need cleaning out.
Since Kevin had shot it, he should have the honor of doing the messy part. With my assistance and direction, he did an excellent job. Thoroughly cleaning out the deer makes a difference in how they taste. I always carry a backpack with ropes and water just in case we do get something. The water is for drinking but comes in handy to wash the blood off our hands, after the cleaning job is done. I also have a plastic bag to put the heart and liver in to take it back to Aunt Lucy. We tied the rope to the deer’s head to drag her down to the creek. The hill was covered with grass and pine needles which made going easier. She pulled easy on the slick debris we were down to the bottom in no time at all. We had to get across Grimes Creek without getting too wet. By this time, Harry and Uncle Lewie had found us. They heard Kevin yell clear across the canyon and knew he had shot a deer. With their help we pulled her across the creek with ease. we backed the truck down an open path to the creek to Load her in the back. Aunt Lucy was waiting for us at the camp and was curious about what was going on and what Was shot. She also wanted to know if we brought her the heart and liver. We filled her in on all the details which made her happy. The day had gone by quickly′ Noontime was upon us′ it was time for lunch. Kevin was the center of attention, being the only one to get a deer.
After some sandwiches and a can of pop, we talked about finding another place to hunt to finish off the day. Down the creek was another good place to hunt. We have hunted the area before and know there should be deer hiding somewhere in the timber. There were plenty of fresh tracks, the deer were hiding from us. After several more hours of walking up and around hills, checking out all the timber Pockets, we headed back to the trucks. Not a thing was seen in all our travels and looking over the far hills.
The day finally ended, time to head for home. We had one nice deer to skin and take care of. It had to be cleaned and put in meat sacks. She would be hung in Harry-s garage for a few days before cutting her into Steaks for the freezer. We had a good day out with the family and had accomplished what we set out to do. It was an enjoyable trip, and we would look forward to going again before the season ends.