CALLING IN THE BIG BOYS
By: Cate Cook

The 2004 season wasn’t the first elk hunt for thirteen-year-old Joe Gonzalez.  In fact, the Lander youth had already taken an elk, but this year he was after a trophy.  Opening day, Joe and his dad, Joe, headed to a favorite spot, trying to call in some big boys from a canyon location.  As fog settled in, the pair headed toward higher ground, running into some other hunters and swapping a few stories.  The team decided to take time out for lunch and try their luck again later, with hopes that the visibility would improve.

Before long, Joe did spot a nice six-point, but the bull saw him, too, and hustled across the river and was gone.  The hunters took the opportunity to go get a 4-wheeler from camp, and came back shortly to the same spot.  They watched a huge herd of cows passing into the timber, keeping an eye out in case there was a big bull among the herd.  Joe did see one spike, but not the trophy animal he was waiting for.  An hour later, Joe and his dad watched the last cows come into the clearing, herded along by a magnificent bull!

The teen swung up his 30.06, waiting for a clear shot.  His first shot crossed the 250 yards between them and struck the bull, which headed for the timber; another bullet from Joe prevented his escape.  After a celebratory hunting dance, the father and son duo headed back to camp to get their gear and take care of the elk.  But, they hit a patch of sticky mud, flipping the 4-wheeler and pinning young Joe’s leg.  His dad lifted the machine off, finding his son fortunately able to continue.

In early evening, the elder Gonzalez and friends crossed the swift river to gut the elk and get it home.  The stunning European mount of Joe’s big bull is a lasting reminder of a memorable hunt in his thirteenth year, and probably only one of many more to come.  This year, the Starrett Junior High eighth-grader can be found stalking whitetails with his bow, and he may go after an elk during archery season, too.