Shed & Turkey Hunting

Dylan has really been enjoying the great outdoors!! I'm so grateful we live in such a beautiful place. I love it when Dylan comes home, exhausted from his hike, but with that sparkle in his eye from the adventure. Since I'm home with the kids (and working!) I don't get out nearly as often as he does, so he is sure to give me ALL of the details and keeps me updated with pictures of his view (when he has service!). Now that the weather is nicer the kids and I will start joining him on these treks (although it means he will have to pick easier hikes, like maybe something with a trail ;) )

It was a good season for shed hunting! Deer and Elk shed their antlers every year and then grow a bigger set! Dylan hasn't really been shed hunting in the past but stumbled across some while scouting for Turkey season and got really excited. Then he found out they are worth money, and I couldn't keep him home! He even started bringing his camera up and making YouTube videos (and has a pretty good following already! Here is his channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1TVwO48OjhH4IezcqsNUMA) 

Dylan's excitement over his finds is so contagious. If someone told me two years ago (or heck, even a year ago) that I would start to get excited about antlers then I'd roll my eyes. Now I have an elk shed on top of my piano......don't judge me ;)

Dylan showing Hendrix how antlers work. Not a bad haul for his first time out!

Dylan found a set!

The spoils 

Turkey season started in April and Dylan took every opportunity to go out. This was his first time putting any effort into Turkey season and he is having a blast! There is a lot to learn still. Frequently Dylan goes out by himself, but if Tom or Shem are available they all go out together! We live in such gorgeous country.

Dylan got a bird! You can get up to 3 in a season, and we were going to dinner at someone's house who frequently have turkey, so Dylan came home, showered, ran out to buy another tag, and packed his hunting gear along to dinner ;)

We've heard that wild turkey is so different, and we've heard a lot of people don't like it. The legs were massive, but ligamenty. We gave them to Tom and he brined them then smoked them. They were SO GOOD!! And there was so much meat, I can't believe people would just toss those. We cooked up the body just like we would for Thanksgiving (went all out with the sides too ;) ) and let me tell you, it was INCREDIBLE. I don't know what all the fuss is. It tasted like turkey and it was delicious. There are some hunters Dylan really likes that have some recipes for wild turkey we can't wait to try, so we are hoping Dylan fills two more tags!