On October 26th the Kniestedt Foundation wrapped up their final event out West for the fall of 2018. Due to generous donations from private individuals and corporations five veterans and one active duty Marine had the opportunity to participate in three seperate events, two service members per event, that included the pursuit of elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope in the states of Colorado and Wyoming.

The fall kicked off with two U.S. Army veterans bowhunting elk in Wyoming with Klay and Jake Mangis and Tony Saunders of Circle S Outfitters. Within 24 hours of making their way to elk camp the veterans were surrounded by multiple bugling bulls and one veteran was able to capitalize on the opportunity and take a beautiful 6×6 bull. The remainder of the trip was filled with breathtaking scenery, more bugling bulls and amazing camaraderie. No other bulls were taken, but that wasn’t the point. Amazing friendships and memories were forged in a beautiful and trying place.

The Corps veteran and U.S. Army veteran made their way to Wyoming to hunt mule deer and pronghorn in the Wind River Range with Salt River Range Outfitters and guide Scott Horner. Once again, success came quick with the U.S. Army veteran dropping a nice mule deer at 669yds on the opening day of the season. The days following resulted in poor weather at higher elevations and the veterans moved to lower ground to pursue pronghorn antelope. Both veterans had success taking two beautiful antelope. As the weather cleared the U.S. Marine Corps veteran took back to the mountain to chase mule deer. On the final morning of his hunt he was able to connect with a trophy muley at 551yds. In five days two veterans were able to take four animals and create countless memories.

Two weeks after the elk hunt a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and U.S. Army veteran made their way to Wyoming to hunt mule deer and pronghorn in the Wind River Range with Salt River Range Outfitters and guide Scott Horner. Once again, success came quick with the U.S. Army veteran dropping a nice mule deer at 669yds on the opening day of the season. The days
following resulted in poor weather at higher elevations and the veterans moved to lower ground to pursue pronghorn antelope. Both veterans had success taking two beautiful antelope. As the weather cleared the U.S. Marine Corps veteran took back to the mountain to chase mule deer. On the final morning of his hunt he was able to connect with a trophy muley at 551yds. In five days two veterans were able to take four animals and create countless memories.

To wrap up the journey out West one U.S. Marine Corps veteran and one active duty member of the U.S. Marine Corps headed to Hayden, Colorado to hunt mule deer with Hooker Mountain Outfitters owner Tom Kostur and guide Colton Roesener. The theme of early success continued with the active duty Marine smoking a nice mule deer right away on opening morning of Colorado’s second rifle season. However, after opening morning the unseasonably warm temperatures and full moon caused mule deer action to come to a halt. The rest of the scheduled hunt was met with many near opportunities that were squashed by fading daylight. On the final evening of the hunt there was a feeling amongst the guys that this hunt just could not end like this. When everyone returned from the hunt to their home states, it was discovered that the staff of Hooker Mountain Outfitters had reached out to the Marine Corps veteran about turning around and once again joining them in Colorado for the remainder of the season in attempt to fill his tag. The next day he was on a flight back out West. It appears hitting the reset button was all that was needed. The morning after his arrival the veteran was successful in taking an awesome Colorado muley with the rifle given to him by the father of a fallen Marine he served with. It was the perfect ending to a terrific event.

Planning events like these are absolutely a team effort and the Kniestedt Foundation would like to thank all who came together to make this happen especially, Dan and Norma Winder (WY residents who donated their elk, mule deer and antelope tags to the veterans), Circle S Outfitters (donated their resources and time to the elk hunt), Salt River Range Outfitters (donated their resources and time to the WY mule deer hunt), Hooker Mountain Outfitters (donated their resources and time to the CO mule deer hunt), Timberline Taxidermy (donated antelope and mule deer mounts to the WY hunters), Southeast Taxidermy (donated mule deer mounts to the CO hunters), Starr Valley Meat Block (donated meat processing to WY hunters), ALPS OutdoorZ (donated packs and bino harnesses to all hunters), White River Knife and Tool (donated knives to hunters), Browning (discounted apparel to all hunters), and Denny Dennis Sporting Goods (donated knives and ammunition to all hunters).

The mule deer hunts explained in this article were also filmed by Kniestedt Foundation partner The Break TV and will air during their 2019 season on the Pursuit Channel.

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