It all came together on December 27th for long-time hunter Gordon Blossom. Recently celebrating his 100th birthday, Blossom had long talked about taking an elk when he was 100 years of age and finally made it a reality with his son Rod last month.
Officially licensed as a disabled hunter, Rod is Gordon’s hunting partner, and accompanied his father on his quest for an elk starting on August 1st. Heading out five days a week, the pair canvasses the boundaries of Washington’s Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park and is where they finally found their prey.
After spotting a herd of roughly 300 elk, the two followed the animals for four hours until the perfect shot presented itself for the elderly hunter.
“They were moving and I mean, moving,” Gordon told Daily Record News. “Probably going 30 miles per hour and I just don’t feel like I should shoot unless I’m pretty sure I can get it. I don’t want a wounded animal.”
Gordon took the elk at under 150 yards, a distance he is extremely comfortable with his Winchester .300 H&H rifle he acquired back in 1953.
The successful hunter plans to dine on his kill for the remainder of 2017 and is thankful for the opportunity to spend time afield with his son.