A dream come true

Since the age of thirteen I have wanted to hunt a cougar with my bow. After many years of applying for a draw tag I got the news I would be one of three hunters that drew a tag for the area near Price Utah. I was excited but also bummed because this year work has been slow and I could not afford to pay a guide with dogs to take me. I was going to turn my tag back in and get my money back but Mauri said to hang on to it because maybe something would work out. Boy did it work out. One day we were elk hunting and we came across a cougar track. I started looking on the cliffs and ledges when a guy drove up the road and said he had a uncle that had hound dogs. A phone call later and i had a guy that would guide me free of charge. He just did it for fun and wanted the training for his dogs. A few weeks later I was on my first cougar hunt. We found a track and let the dogs loose. A hour later the dogs had the cat up a tree. I was really excited but we still had to snow shoe up the canyon to the tree. After a few hours of walking and tripping on the snow shoes we got close enough that I could see the cats tail hanging out of the tree. My blood really started to pump. When we got to the tree I seen one of the most beautiful animals on earth. We stood at the tree for two hours taking pictures and video. After two hours I had to make a hard decision. The cat we had was a female. I chose to not shoot her and try for another one. Right after I said I would pass on this one Matt Said on the radio he has another on up a tree so we gathered our gear and headed for the other cat. When we got to the tree this cat was a small male so I passed on him also. I was exhausted and sweaty so we headed for the trucks. I had to return for work for the week but I was going to return the following weekend. Saturday morning came and we was off looking for more tracks. We found one and it was a really large one so we let the dogs go and they took off barking. When you hear the dogs barking as they smell and chase the sent your hair stands up on the back of your neck. It sounds really cool. As we sat there with the radio tracker Troy said they have the cat up a tree. I dont know how they know that but after many years of doing this they know what to listen for. So we got on the snow shoes and headed in the direction of the dogs. After a three and a half hour hike we walked up to the tree to see one of the largest cats these guys have seen. We took many pictures and video of the cat before it was time to for me to complete a dream of mine. As I got ready to take the shot I got really nervous and started to shake. I kept telling myself to calm down and concentrate. I drew my bow and took careful aim and released the arrow. I dont know what really happened next other than all hell broke loose. The cat jumped out of the tree and the dogs went crazy. After about ten seconds I could see my dream about thirty yards down the hill. It was all over in seconds. While walking down to my cat I had to fight back emotions. Emotions of not only of fulfilling a dream but I did have some emotions because I killed one of the most beautiful animals I have ever had the chance to see. After lots of handshakes and pictures we started back for the trucks. Not only did I get my cat but I met a family that is one of the nicest familys I have ever met. My cat is the biggest cat killed in Carbon County in ten years. We had record book score it and it will rank as the 22nd largest cat killed in the united states. So now I know dreams do come true. I want to thank Mauri for letting me do this. She did not complain on bit about me being gone chasing one of my dreams.