Great story-telling skills and photos Ryan! Thanks for sharing the adventure.

Thanks Marley!

We continued to glass and we found one last herd but the day concluded when other hunters spooked the goats that we were stalking.

 

Well Makua is now OUR hunting spot!  

 

After those two hunts, there was no question in my mind that she could handle the rigors of that hunt.  The funny part is that I was worried about her but I cramped out twice and she came out of Makua fine on every occasion!    :D

Last week, we decided to head back up since it was a long weekend.  To my surprise this time, she wanted to go to the very back of the valley!




Yes, our truck is parked about a few hundred yards from the ocean.




Continuing the climb on the main ridge to the back...

Once again, the goat magnet found a herd.  Instead of swirling winds, this time a "kid" was attracted to her.  He would not leave!!!!


 

She was pinned down a few times and eventually the curious goats turned into worried goats and pulled the herds away from us.

The goats decided to head to the steepest part of the cliffs.  We both decided that it was a good idea to not go after them.  Lunch was a better idea!

I had never been that far back before so i told Staci that it was a good idea if we back tracked.  That would take us all afternoon meaning that we would have to head back after lunch.

I brought up the option of heading back on the ridge that we ended up on as it was a straight shot back.  The only problem was that I've never been there before and there was always the chance that we couldn't climb back down as we descended.  That would mean walking back up the same ridge to where we started and then making the back track.

She said she was willing to chance it and wanted to opportunity to hunt more.  I was impressed to say the least!!!  I had a good feeling about finding a way out, so our hunt continued.

On a mission!      :D     A view of the back of the valley on our way down...
   


Well.... she pulled it off once again!!!  We spotted a herd feeding to the river bed below us.  It looked like they would eventually climb to our ridge!!!

You got me hooked on this story now!
Makes me want to get out into the woods right now!

What a wonderful story line and experience for you BOTH...but you have to be so proud and blessed.

Only observation is that you are quite the man if you can get away with calling a pretty woman like that a "goat magnet" and still speak in anything less than a falsetto voice!      

I'm tickled to read your shared experiences and mightily impressed with your survival techniques!      

Looking forward to more stories. Beautiful country...OMG...that is incredible... but looks like land best left to the young!

Staci knew that I haven't been shooting on our last hunts, so she wanted us to split up to increase our odds.  I was hesitant at first, but because she was so insistent, I agreed.  I let her set up first, then I found a place down the ridge.

Guess who popped up at her feet again!!!!

Yeah, it was another "kid"!!!  She waited patiently but the other goats headed in another direction.

Although my wife didn't harvest anything in Makua, I couldn't be any more proud of her!  I would've been happy if she'd just accompany me to the range, but heck, now she joins me on expeditions in one of my favorite hunting places!  

This has been a milestone for us as bowhunters and as husband and wife.  Yes, spending time together can be very rewarding.  But trust me, it didn't come easy.  We've had our share of trials and tribulations.  Our relationship took a lot of hard work and dedication but like traditional bowhunting, the greater the efforts, the greater the rewards.  Just take it one step at a time.  

Aloha,
Ryan & Staci
     

Thank you Doc!

LOL!  She gave herself that name!!!  (I've never seen so many goats back there when I hunted alone....)  She said " I must be a goat magnet"

Hopefully we'll have more stories to come!!!!

Sounds like a fantastic hunt, made even better by the company of your wife!  One day I hope to do the same with mine.

BTW,

I forgot to mention one thing....




After we split up..... I loosed an arrow, but that story will have to wait till another day!      

Nice. .  that could be a fun destination.  

Is it allowed to camp up top there overnight ?  That could be a neat thing to do once in a while.  Take some smaller hammocks and spend the night.

Please post pix when "the magnet" gets one.  You know she will eventually.  Can't wait.

ChuckC

Thanks Brian!


Thanks Chuck!
In this area, camping is not permitted.  Yeah it would be cool if we could camp on the ridge line overnight.  Hammocks would be the ticket!!!!

I'll be sure to post pics when "the magnet"       :D      gets one!  Hopefully it's just a matter of time!    

Ryan

That is what it all about. Sharing what we love with others and especially the ones we love. Very nice and your a lucky man I guess you know that already.

Great story and great looking country that you two have to hunt in.

Ryan, Thanks for the story, great tread. Sounds like like you have found a great partner, to share the love of the hunt with a bow. Congrats

Ryan..great story and Staci...keep it up girl..your gonna show Ryan how its really done  

Thanks for the kind words Gang!

Art, she's already showing me up!!!