By Allen Hamrick
On occasion, we like for hunters to tell their own stories of the big hunts, and this week it is a special one. One of the best hunters to ever hit the woods and who can shoot better than most gray hairs has offered to tell her story. Yes, that’s right her story; she is 4th grader Kendra Taylor who has already put more meat in the freezer than most hunters three times her age. She is a pure mountain girl that packs a wallop when it comes to hunting. Here is her story in her own words.
At five o’clock AM Daddy woke me. I got up and put my hunting clothes on. Daddy looked at me and said, “Wow, you got dressed faster than me, you can tell she loves to hunt.” I giggled. We got into the buggy (basically a four-wheeler), I closed the door and we were off. We went to Wallback. I sat down on a log and played a few games. We sat there all morning. After the morning, we went home to wait for evening and to eat a snack.
When it turned evening, we got back into the buggy. We went back to Wallback and took a long walk down a hill, and I played some more games. Then came the movement. Daddy heard a deer. He grabbed my crossbow; he didn’t give it to me yet. He had to wait till he saw the deer. Then a little bit later we saw it, and we knew it was big. He gave me the crossbow, and I put the scope on the deer. I took a deep breath, and I squeezed the trigger. Then after I shot, Daddy heard it fall. He was so excited; I was, too. Then we saw it, a big nine pointer. I was so excited. Daddy said we had to leave it there so he could get help. He called Mikey and another guy, not sure of his name. I stayed home so I could eat, but Daddy, Mikey and the other guy went to get my deer. I ate lasagna, and it felt like an hour until daddy got back.
As I waited for Daddy to come back, I saw a big ray of light, and it was Daddy! He finally got back. He hung the deer up, but before he hung the deer Mommy took a picture of me and my deer. I could barely sleep last night, though. I was too excited. When I woke up, I ate breakfast and looked outside. I saw Daddy walking up to the garage to skin my deer. I painted two pumpkins and watched TV until Daddy told me he needed my help. I went out to the garage to help him. He said he wanted me to choose a mount that he had pulled up on his phone. I chose a left sneak. After the deer was cut and grinded, almost everything was back to normal. Here are a few tips I used
- I took a deep breath before I pulled the trigger.
- I squeezed the trigger so I wouldn’t miss.
- I was quiet so the deer couldn’t hear me.
Here you have it ladies and gentlemen, this is Kendra’s story in her own words. Just think of the memories this young lady is making and the self-reliance and valuable skills she is developing. If you have a story you would like to share, don’t hesitate to write it down and send it to the editor at clayfreepress@mountainmedianews.com.
Congratulations to Kendra on her kill. Her next step is to learn the fine art of cooking so she can enjoy the taste of her deer in whatever recipe she chooses.
