Ken Roberts
Sports Writer
The hunt for game is challenging and rewarding; the relationships that grow from the hunt are immeasurable.
For many families, the hunting trip has become a family tradition. Whether it is father and son or father and daughter, or the entire family, it is something that they look forward to with a passion.
“I have always been around my dad watching him hunt before I was old enough to shoot a gun,” said Scott Derrickson, who likes to hunt by himself sometimes just for a little peace of mind.
“Whenever I do get out out to hunt with my dad, it will give me time to talk to him and catch up on other things, not just hunting. We are waiting for next season to come so we can spend more time with each other.”
Scott’s father, Greg, likes the whole feel of getting back to nature.
“I like getting out in the woods, just he and I,” said Derrickson. “It’s good to get away from every day life.”
Often times it is a yearly trip that includes the entire family.
“This is our big vacation each year,” said Carlene Erickson, who has tried to pass on the lessons of safety and hunting skills to her children. “I want to continue the family tradition of a week of camping with the whole extended family.”
That’s what her daughter, Hayley, enjoys, even though she doesn’t have her hunting license yet. She hopes to hunt soon but still likes the adventure and the nature walks.
“It’s fun because not only do I get quality family time, I get to see wildlife, chase deer, and follow tracks,” said Cole.
Stefani Crocker and her dad, Tim, often go out, using the special juvenile tag. For both of them, it’s the time spent laughing and joking that makes it worthwhile, though they do like the challenge of the chase.
“It gives us a chance to talk to one another in a relaxed state,” said Tim Crocker. “Also we can experience the true beauty and enjoyment to be found in Oregon’s multi-use, functioning forest.”
Ivan Vandehei puts a poetic touch to the sights and sounds he sees, whether it be the beautiful landscape or brightly colored leaves in the cold air leading into winter. Or the variety of active wildlife, such as weasels chasing chipmunks into the trees or honking geese on their way south. And even during the chase, standing so still admiring the deer that might walk up and smell you, without being aware of the danger of your presence.
But when it comes right down to it, it always gets back to the chase.
“I like the challenge of hunting by stalking the game slowly, stopping, looking, and listening,” said Vandehei, who says his son spots deer more quickly than he can. “The biggest reason is seeing Shane, year after year, becoming a more experienced man in coping with the challenges of of weather and terrain and hunting more independently.”
Ivan also wants his son to have some sense of the hard life the Indians and mountain men lived. This knowledge is part of the reason Shane enjoys hunting with his dad.
“He is more experienced and knows a lot more than me,” said Shane. “But mainly I like the quality time I get to spend with him and sharing those moments with him that I will never forget.”
The experience is never the same year to year. But one thing all hunters can count on: the sharing of the experience with people they care about. Those stories, like in the past, are the way the hunting tradition continues to be passed down. They tend to grow on you.
Tim Crocker and Stefani Crocker, 14
Hunting site: Cascades/Santiam Pass
Weather conditions: snowing for the 4 point bull elk in 2002; cloudy and a little rain for the 3 point deer in 2001.
Weapon: 30-06 for the elk; 243 caliber for the deer.
The Action: In 2002, in the snow, they tracked an elk into the timber where they found it lying in in its bed. In 2001, Stefani and her dad were hunting a patch of second growth timber where they spotted a buck feeding. Stefani shot it from about 80 yards.
Mike Cochran and Zac Cochran, 15
Others in the party: Zac’s grandpa, Foy Cochran
Hunting site: Swamp Mountain
Weather conditions: overcast
Weapon: Hoyt bow for a spike bull
The Action: Spot and stalk, calling it. After walking a long way, the herd bull bugled.
Greg Derrickson and Scott Derrickson, 16
Others in the party: Devin Kephart, a family friend, and Jason Stevens, a friend of Devin’s
Hunting site: Near Silver Lake
Weather conditions: cold and clear sky
Weapon: Greg used a 7mm mag to kill a 4 point mule deer; Scott used a 30-06.
The Action: Shot on their last day; the biggest one Greg has killed.
Ivan Vandehei and Shane Vandehei, 16
Others in the party: Grandpa Frank Vandehei, cousin Justin Vandehei, Robert Leininger, family friend, Justin’s in-laws, Ray and Ginger Launder.
Hunting site: desolation unit, Middle Fork John Day
Weather conditions: cold nights, 35 degree average; warm days, 80 degree average.
Weapon: Used 30-06 to shoot 3 point buck
The Action: On the very first day, all four members of the original party tagged out- Shane, Ivan and Robert with 3 points and Frank with a 2 point, his first in 17 years. Joining the group later, Justin and Ginger also were successful, making it six for six.
After they were dragging Shane’s buck to the truck, a group of deer was in the opening coming up behind them. Ivan sited in on the largest one, a 3 by 4, which ended up a 3 by 3 point when it broke one of its points while falling. Since it left no blood trail, they had trouble tracking it until they began to notice that its feet were getting heavy as it plowed into the ground.
Sean and Carlene Erickson and Hayley Cole, 15
Others in the party: her brothers and sisters and other members of the family.
Hunting site: China Hat near LaPine
Weather conditions: dry and cold
Weapon: 7mm. Remington mag to shoot a forked horn
The Action: Early in the morning, 1.5 miles in on the hunt, in a thinning, it tried to sneak by and stopped broadside. From 150 yards, shot and hit and then shot again for the kill.