By Ben Romans

Now that we’re in the New Year, I decided do a little house cleaning over the weekend. I was going through some of the materials and photos I collected in 2009, and came across a story that I should have posted on Generation Wild.

In October, I had the privilege of accompanying Loren Wiseman and his big brother (as in Big Brothers/Big Sisters program), Rich Ridder, on a youth elk hunt in New Mexico. What I can tell you is this: Whatever tall tales you’ve heard about all the elk down in New Mexico they’re true. I’ve never seen so many big bulls in my life.

Loren was a champ. Time after time, we’d make a stalk and come back busted, but he never gave up. Finally, on the third day of the hunt, we were able to get within range of a brute. Loren made a great shot with his muzzleloader, and down went the bull. It was certainly one of the most exciting hunts I’ve been a part of, and I wasn’t even the one doing the shooting. You can check out the rest of the story and a slide show of photographs on Field & Stream’s website. —Ben