jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Thank you very much, Greg...that was a desire in my chest since I was about 15 while reading Jack O'Connor books and articles!!

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Many thanks, Earnest...glad to see you stopped by!!

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Exciting times...would have liked to be able to share those times with you!!

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Thank you, Toment...appreciate!!

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Many thanks, Drewline...appreciate you stopping by and commenting!!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Wild animals have a very short average life; some predator eats them, disease, injuries etc.

Examples:
#1 wild rabbits raised as a pet can live to be 9, in the wild the average is about 2.
#2 white tailed deer in the wild average age is 4.5 but in captivity they make it to 16 and the record was one that reached 23

Life in the wild is not easy, usually not long.
It isn't a Disney movie like Bambi; bears are not Gentle Ben; wolves, coyotes, Bob Cats or cougar do not make friends with deer etc.

"Nature Red in Tooth and Claw"

Been there, seen it as a kid in a small town and on my Grandparents' farm in Western Kentucky in a county that is approximately half woods, lakes marsh etc. Lots of wild animals. Less than 8,000 people, mostly in several small towns, in a county of 234 sq miles.
When out and about, people are always finding remains of animals killed by predators etc.
In one pasture on the family farm was a tree with a hawk nest, the ground under that tree was covered with feathers, fur etc. like it was a heavy snow or several years worth of old leaves. The county has Bob Cats, a few coyotes, they are capable of taking white tailed deer, and do. Because the deer have access to farmers crops, they often grow to numbers that get classified overpopulated and as pests for destroying crops. Farmers are allowed to kill those eating in their crop fields with a permit. The meat has to be offered to the Retirement homes, schools, county welfare people etc. but they usually have more than they can use, so the farmers can keep it, sell it*, use it to feed dogs or hogs (they are omnivores like humans) etc.

Few in the county hunt for trophies, they hunt and fish for meat, like I did as a kid. If the animal is trophy worthy, that is a bonus. Those deer eating the farmers' crops can grow huge for their species and being very healthy can have record book class antlers.

*There is one restaurant in the county that specializes in wild game meat and one that offers it with the regular fare.

slcarn Loc: Draper, Utah USA

Jim,
Congratulations on your hunting success. You look happy to have completed your long-sought goal. You make 80 look like 60!

Looking forward to seeing you at Farmington and Bear River in search of Eagles.
Steve

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

jack

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Congrats, I think. I've never killed anything other than insects - my shooting is with a camera.

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Jim, congratulations are first due for finally drawing the tag for the hunt after 25 years, but all the more for bagging that ram. A dream trip and experience of a lifetime came true for you.

cwp3420

Congrats. I’m glad you got to finish your bucket list.

Skibbyshot

Congratulations! 👍👍

ELNikkor

Congratulations on your achievement! Now it will be easier to carry your trophies out, as they'll be on flash-cards in your cameras, (and you don't need lottery draw's to go out and shoot them.)

smilenangler Loc: The Flood City, Pa.

Well done sir..

tcthome Loc: NJ

Congrats!!!