Dave Justin Heasley

Remembering some good times…. I was the guide. I had no tag. Justin and Matt had the tags for unit 50 where our cabin was located. Justin had the bull tag. Matt had the cow tag. We were onto elk every day, thanks to the snow. Saw one HUGE bull and several smaller bulls. Justin had a few shots but didn’t score. Saw many cows. Matt was reluctant to shoot at first, but eventually took a shot. I saw dirt kick up at the cow’s feet. I said raise the gun and shoot again. He dropped her with the second shot. I paced off the distance: it was 300 yards. A phenomenal shot! When we got to her I asked “do you know what to do next”? They both said “no”. So I cut her open and showed them how to let the innards fall downhill to feed the coyotes. Then I told them to drag her towards the road while I went off to get my truck and the game cart, parked a mile away. They had about ¼ mile to drag. I got back and they were only half way to the road, and exhausted. We loaded the cow onto the game cart and rolled the cart the rest of the way. We lifted the cart over the fence and into the truck and headed back to the cabin. That night we went to the Stagestop Bar and Grill down the road to celebrate a successful hunt over a few beers. I was lamenting to the bartender that I had an elk liver and no onions. He responded “I have onions and no elk liver”. We cut a deal. I went back to the cabin and cut the elk liver in half and returned with half the liver and exchanged it for two onions. I don’t think either Justin or Matt ate any of the liver, but I enjoyed it. I think both Justin and Matt had a good time, as did I. Hard to believe that was nearly 14 years ago. RIP Justin. Greg Hahn Father-in-Law