Memories you made in the last year?

[Haggin]

We're a horse show family, following our daughter around most of the summer. Greatest 2024 memories started with her getting her State FFA degree, graduating high school, then going on to win two world championship buckles/ribbons, a reserve world championship, and then a Level I (AQHA) reserve championship over the course of two weeks in June. Definitely some new core memories for me.

Hearing your kid's name as the last called out of a class of 30 horses makes all the travel and expense worth it (hearing your own name as owner is pretty cool too). She did pretty well at the state and county level too, wrapping up a pretty amazing youth career (technically 1 summer left so we'll do it all over again this year).

Hunting wise, we only hunted whitetail this year, and didn't harvest anything, letting a lot of smaller bucks and does pass, but spent some quality outdoor time in the Nebraska sandhills with my wife over the course of the season.

 

[Oregon]

1. Wife has stage 4 melanoma cancer. Diagnosed in 2022. Found out early summer that the masses inside are not visible anymore on a PET scan. Well, she still has one very very small hotspot. But 98% gone. Celebrated with a 20 day Europe trip. Her first time over the pond.
2. Our only grandchild lives on the east coast, he’s 4. Flew out and spent Christmas with him. Hadn’t seen him in 2 years, so, first time I have been around when he was talking. Awesome.
3. 74 year old buddy drew a deer tag needing 23 points. Found him a good one. He missed it on day 8. Day 9 I found him again. Done.
4. My elk hunt. Well known unit to me. Hunted a spot I’d never hunted on opening day. Hells Canyon area. Hadn’t seen an elk in 3 days scouting. Opening morning. Parked truck. Waited for light. Walked 90 yards from truck. Shot elk at 60 yards. Able to drive truck right to elk.
Pretty cool year.

 

[intunegp]

Getting married and having a fantastic honeymoon are my best of 2024

 

[MNGrouser]

1. Wife has stage 4 melanoma cancer. Diagnosed in 2022. Found out early summer that the masses inside are not visible anymore on a PET scan. Well, she still has one very very small hotspot. But 98% gone. Celebrated with a 20 day Europe trip. Her first time over the pond.

Pretty cool year.

THAT alone qualifies as an awesome year! My mom fought stage 4 lymphoma about five years ago and continues to have great annual check-ups.

My 2024 started with a week in Cabo with my girlfriend. I'd never seen the Pacific Ocean before and it did not disappoint. I got skunked on my deep sea fishing trip and didn't even care.

That spring I was finally able to convince some family to come up and partake in the spring sturgeon fishing trip on Rainy River. (I've been inviting them for nearly a decade.) Both my dad and brother managed to land respectable fish and this Christmas when I was back home they talked about planning this springs outing.

Got to get up to the cabin in Ontario more this year than most and had surprisingly fewer "projects" to demand my time and cash. Actually able to put my feet up and relax and catch a few walleyes.

I wrote on another thread about the amazing trip my dad, brother, nephew and I had in Montana. We all managed to tag mule deer bucks, three of us with personal bests. It was the first time all four of us hunted big-game together with tags. My nephew's buck holds a special place in my heart for the way the final stalk all came together. Epitomized a western hunt for this Midwesterner.

 

[roosiebull]

I got to hunt a lot with my 3 year old son. From calling coyotes to chasing deer and antelope. He even got to watch his mom shoot a buck. He’s been a trooper.

I switched from a fast paced, rewarding, high action job to something more slow paced and challenging. It’s allowed me to be home every night and on my actual days off. I’m not a fan of the slow lifestyle but it’s afforded us trips we couldn’t do before. View attachment 810998View attachment 810999View attachment 811000View attachment 811001

I like the paint job on the krg bravo, almost didn’t recognize it

Looks like some good times!!!

 

[mtwarden]

2024 was a great year; no once in a lifetime hunts as the previous year, but a great year!

I did the Bob Marshall Open again this year (I think I'm closing in on ten years now), I had to bail on day three due to an injury, but got to see some great country that very few have.

My wife, youngest daughter and I spent a week in Juneau after talking about visiting the area for years. It didn't disappoint.

Didn't harvest an elk, but spent a ton of time on the mountain which always makes good memories (did get to help a friend pack out an elk however).

Numerous backpacking trips with family and buddies, including several winter trips.

Hit my goal of 2024 miles a week or so ago; tons of good memories racking those miles up.

Maybe 2025 will be the year I finally get a sheep or goat license!????

 

[NJStricker]

My youngest shot his first whitetail (a doe) and my oldest took his first buck, a decent 7 point