Tanner Hanes on His Lifetime Bull Elk Hunt and Wilderness Challenges

The Wager and the Wilderness Entry

• 🎯 Tanner Hanes agreed to appear on the podcast as part of a wager: if he harvested a large bull elk, he would do the interview.
• 🌲 The conversation details Tanner's first true wilderness bow hunt, a challenging endeavor he embarked on with his friend Cord.
• 🏔️ Wilderness hunting involves strict regulations, prohibiting motorized vehicles and emphasizing preservation, making meat retrieval a critical logistical challenge.

The First Hunt and a Difficult Lesson

• 🏹 On opening day, Tanner had an opportunity at a bull elk but made a shot that resulted in a shoulder hit, leading to a difficult tracking situation.
• 💔 This experience was emotionally taxing, as Tanner felt he had failed his father, his wife, and his own expectations, leading to deep disappointment.
• journaling became a therapeutic outlet, allowing him to process the feelings of failure and the harsh realities of the hunt.

Perseverance and a Second Chance

• 💪 Despite the initial setback, Tanner remained committed to the hunt, drawing inspiration from his father's philosophy of "keep moving."
• 🤝 After separating from Cord, Tanner encountered him again when Cord had harvested his own bull, which provided Tanner with a much-needed positive experience and renewed motivation.
• 🌄 On the final day, Tanner, with Cord's guidance and support, pursued a bull in a challenging drainage, ultimately leading to a successful hunt.

The Lifetime Bull and Team Effort

• 🎯 Tanner successfully harvested a massive bull elk, a moment described as life-changing and a testament to perseverance.
• 🤝 The successful retrieval of the meat was a significant team effort, involving Cord, Garrett Downing, Brody, and others who assisted with packing and logistics.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Tanner also expressed gratitude for his wife's unwavering support, allowing him to pursue his passions even with a young child at home.

Generational Legacy and Finding Purpose

• ⛰️ The conversation touches on the generational aspect of hunting, with Tanner reflecting on his own childhood experiences in the wilderness with his father.
• 🎖️ Tanner discusses finding purpose after leaving the army, with wilderness hunting filling a void and providing a sense of belonging and challenge similar to his military experience.
• 🤝 The importance of camaraderie and respect among fellow hunters, particularly those who share a love for the wilderness, is highlighted throughout the discussion.