Monday, May 4, 2009

Great Faces Great Places

By Don Ott, Sportsmen Portal Field Staff
I had the extreme pleasure of accompanying Arianna Evans and her wonderful family and Jason Say on a Hunt of a Lifetime to capture a Miriam turkey in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.


I was a mere 18 years of age when I was given orders to do a tour of duty in Ellsworth Air Force Base Rapid City South Dakota. That was some 31 years ago.  I was intrigued then and could definitely appreciate the beauty of this state even more watching the smiles of those that are experiencing it for the first time. I can't think of a better reunion then to have shared it with an angel like Arianna Evans. Her cries of joy, applause of bewilderment and her hugs of fulfillment tell a story as beautiful as the sites we encountered.  I would like to thank all the people that were involved in making this little girls dream come true!


I'll let the pictures paint the story!


I don't know if we have enough gear????...


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Jason's wonderful parents, Carl & Karona can't believe their eyes.south-dakota-025


Hey maybe we should take the dog?


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The "Dew" Crew...


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Jason PRIOR to 2800 miles.


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Scenic South Dakota 28 degrees.


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"Look girls...Tourists!"


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Whitetail deer everywhere!


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One of many beautiful art displays.


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How cool is that?


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Jason studying the track...which way did he go? Which way did he go??


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One of our set-ups for Arianna.


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A meeting of the minds...Frank and Jason.


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Beautiful South Dakota.


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"Crazy Horse" a piece of History.


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Arianna ready to spend the day with Daddy in her blind.


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Arianna taking in the beauty of her set-up.


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I was filming the entrance of Crazy Horse when a voice sounds out. When I peer around my lens, I almost fell over...it's Brenda Valentine, the First lady of Hunting! What's the chance of that.south-dakota-116


Jason dropped his card as he was running for the vehicle!


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I suggested to Jason to find a high point to call from...he asked "Will this do?"south-dakota-127


The Angel and her Guardian.


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Jason and his beautiful Miriam in the snow.


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Arianna awaiting dinner as Jason embraces her.


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Arianna partaking in dinner.


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Arianna cherishing the moment with Jason and I.


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Attempting to display the beautiful colors of my beautiful Black Hills Miriam turkey.


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My magnificient thunder chicken.


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This is the kind of terrain we were hunting.


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Beautiful sky.


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Arianna and her dad enjoying her bird.


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Arianna, Bill and Frank celebrating.


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Arianna, Bill, Jason and I celebrating.


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Arianna, Bill and Paul.


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Paul flying a flag on a round-up.


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Paul lives at Crazy Horse and afforded the opportunity for Arianna to live her dream.


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breath taking Badlands.


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Below...Jason "hit a wall."


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If we only knew what was in-store at the end of the 336 miles.


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In PA, we call Potter County, "God's Country". South Dakota is definitely one step closer.


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