2011 - 11-11-11 at 12
Brookston resident, Denise Beargrease takes advantage of the Apprentice Hunter Validation and shoots a prize buck
November 22, 2011 • Voyageur Press
Denise Beargrease decided to give hunting a try this year. Little did she know that she would be shooting the biggest buck turned in at the Country Corner this season.
The best part—Denise won the Big Buck Contest at the Country Corner near Brookston and the prize was $100 cash.
Denise shot her prize buck on 11-11-11 at 12 o’clock.
According to Denise, her husband Ben enjoys hunting, so she thought she would give it a try.
Denise chose to take advantage of the DNR’s new Apprentice Hunter Validation license. The Apprentice Hunter Validation is similar to the Hunter Education Deferral Program that is practiced in other states. Essentially an Apprentice Hunter Validation enables an individual who is normally required to have a Firearms Safety (FAS) Certificate, but does not have one, to try hunting two license years in a lifetime under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter.
Denise sat with her husband and when the 220-pound, 9-point buck walked out, she asked if she could shoot it. “I was so excited,” said Denise, “and Ben told me to stay here. I nearly flew off my stand and I tripped.”
“My heart was racing,” added Denise. “It was such a thrill!”
At first, Ben and Denise thought it was a 6-pointer, but upon further examination, they discovered it was a 9-pointer. “It took four of us to load it on the ATV,” recalled Denise. “My husband, father-in-law (Eddie) and brother-in-law (Jason Warner) all lifted it on the 4-wheeler.”
The Beargrease family hunts down Brandon Road and Denise had the most success. “Ben just got a little one,” Denise shared. “Jason just saw some wolves.”
Denise concluded by sharing that she will be going to get her Firearms Safety Certificate. “So far I like it and by-the-way, the horns will be hanging on the wall. I told Ben that it will be my Christmas gift.”