SPECIAL TO THE PVT Curt Moen, center, and his father, Phil, followed their dogs on a deer and pheasant hunt in the Missouri Breaks. Advertisement

Curt Moen is a good man, and my friend. He hails from North Dakota, but now enjoys the warmer climate of Southern Nevada. But, when the temperature starts dropping back home, it's time for family and hunting.

North Dakotans have a great October hunting opportunity with the beginning of their famous pheasant hunting season coinciding with archery deer and antelope seasons. It calls many of its young immigrants back home; a migratory homing sense that many of us, in our busy society, have lost.

Here's a story of home, family, deep rooted memories and homage to our hunting heritage.

It was 19 degrees Fahrenheit and the snow was blowing in a full blizzard as Curt's flight from Las Vegas (temperature 82) landed in Bismarck, N.D.,where he was met by his brother, Dr. R.J. Moen. There he boarded R.J.'s Jeep Rubicon and drove north.

The blizzard and freezing temperatures had the highway closed, but that didn't slow Curt down a bit. He knew of an old hunting trail that bypassed the highways and went off-road through the Long-X Ranch, a cattle ranch which was once owned and operated by our ol' hunting president, Teddy Roosevelt, before he got deeply involved in politics.

Arriving at the Moens' 6,000-acre family ranch, he met up with his dad Phil and they were off for a quick late afternoon hunt.

Curt must have felt like Superman as he changed from his travel clothes into his full archery camo outfit, not in a phone booth, but in his dad's new Dodge 4-wheel drive Mega Cruiser.

They drove to their favorite hunting spot overlooking a portion of the Missouri Breaks, which runs through the ranch.

Upon arriving at an overlook they spotted a huge monster buck, "at least a heavy 6X6," Curt thought. Further work with the spotting scope and they found an area coming out of the breaks that had good doe traffic. A nearby tree stand that had been used in previous years was found and they set up. The heavy snow, wind and freezing temperatures continued. "Great, perfect for deer hunting," Curt thought, "Just like the old days."

Arrangements were made for Dad to pick him up at "O dark -- 30," and the hunt began as Curt climbed into the tree stand, hooked his safety harness around the tree and waited.

It wasn't long before he saw a large group of does come up the hill and pass by the tree stand; "Bucks must not be far behind," he softly said to himself. They came, six young bucks including a couple of nice 4X4s. One large buck gave Curt a great opportunity and he drew back his Bowteck Allegiance compound with Easton Carbon fiber arrows, tipped with Muzzy 4-blade razor heads.

The deer must have heard or sensed something and looked straight at the hunter high in the tree stand, but didn't see him in his full camo. Curt, invisible, held steady as the buck looked back over its shoulder and snorted.

Following the deer's line of sight, Curt strained to maximize his peripheral vision while not moving, and there stood the 6X6 that he had seen earlier, with two drop tines and heavy beams.

Then the adrenalin kicked in and it was a good thing he was wearing his safety harness. He no longer felt his aching fingers or the cold wind. "I was locked and warm," he later said. He waited for the big buck to come forward along the trail, and it was beginning to get dark.

The deer kept coming closer, slowly, closer and then Curt remembered his dad was scheduled to pick him up soon. He watched the deer, but listened for the sound of the big truck. The deer was coming on and it was 30 seconds to shoot time. The bow is pulled to full draw waiting; just a few more steps. Off in the distance he hears the unmistakable sound of the Cummings engine; headlights flash through the trees, and the buck of a lifetime, is gone.

As Dad pulls up he shouts, "How'd it go?" -- no response, and dad replies, "Oh crap, did I come back a little early?" Curt replies "Ya, about 10 seconds," and they both laugh.

For the next four afternoons Curt sat in that tree stand waiting. He saw the buck twice, but not within range. He passed up a 4X4 and a 5X5, waiting. The monster buck is still out there. Maybe next year; that's hunting.

It was a very successful trip. It's not all about killing; it's a dad and his son having another hunt together that they will both tell to their grandchildren.

"And besides," Curt says, "He is still out there improving the gene pool."

Epilogue: While waiting for the afternoon hunt both Curt and his dad enjoyed some of the best pheasant hunting in the world. They were joined by their old black lab hunting partner, Spud, and a new pup, Raider (Phil is a football fan) and the pup is turning out well, as has Curt. Both were trained by "Dad."

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If you have a story or comment about this or other articles, contact me at dansimmons@usa.net or give me a call at 775-727-9777.

What's new

Summer is clearly over; the fall hunting and fishing seasons continue and it's not too early to start planning for the winter convention season.

Here are some of the shows you can mark on your calendar and look forward to:

* Safari Club International Desert Las Vegas Chapter will hold its 23rd annual auction/banquet Jan. 16 at the Henderson Convention Center. For more information call Dave Small 702-334-3860; Marian Hinebauch at 702-419-6516 or Chris Peterson's HeadsUp Wildlife Design at 702-873-1094.

* The Wild Sheep Foundation will be holding its convention and International Sporting Expo Feb. 4-6 at the Silver Legacy and the Reno/Sparks Convention Center. Expect lots of international big game sheep hunters at this one.

* The Grand Slam Club/Orvis Hunter and Outfitters Convention will be held Feb. 17-20 at Bally's Hotel and Convention Center Las Vegas. Expect more exhibits, auctions, seminars and great opportunities for hunts.

* Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will be holding its annual convention at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center March 4-7. It will host all of the events we have come to enjoy; auctions, raffles and seminars.

We will also be looking forward the Safari Club International Convention in Reno and the SHOT Show in Las Vegas after the New Year.

Recipe of the week

Here is a pheasant recipe directly from North Dakota, and they certainly know pheasant. This is a hearty meal and will be appreciated by all. Even after a deer hunt.

Dad's Phamous Pheasant

Two 3 to 3.5 lb pheasants, quartered; 1 cup flour with 1 Tbsp seasoned salt and 2 tsp cayenne pepper mixed in; 2 shallots, sliced thin; 1 cup white mushrooms, sliced thin; 1/4 cup white wine; 1 cup chicken stock; 2 cups heavy cream; vegetable oil for frying

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; place seasoned flour and pheasants in large paper bag and shake until pheasant is well coated; brown pheasant in large skillet with about 1/2 inch oil in bottom; remove from pan and place in Dutch oven; add mushrooms to frying pan and cook until soft; add shallots cooking until lightly browned; add this mixture to the Dutch oven; pour chicken stock and white wine over mixture; cover and bake for approximately two hours; remove from oven, add cream and cook for another hour or until pheasant is tender and sauce is thick. Season with additional salt and pepper. Serve with wide egg noodles.