A Father-Daughter Elk Hunt

Wes and Bella’s Story

Wes loved to hunt and he loved to hunt with his family the most.

As Bella watched her dad hunt with her older sisters she awaited the day she, too, would be able to hunt with him; the day she would get a special necklace with an elk ivory that he made for her, just like the ones he made for them.

But when Bella was 6 everything changed.

Wes was diagnosed with Alzheimers and God’s plan revealed itself differently than what Wes or Bella ever imagined.

Years passed, Bella turned 13, and the dream of a father- daughter hunt was simply another memory they grieved would never happen…

…that is, until Called Beyond got word and surprised Wes and Bella with the opportunity to hunt together.

Called Beyond’s plan was to hunt and harvest an elk with Wes and Bella in 2023. We spent all fall pursing that goal. We had more 5:30 am wake-up calls, miles in the car, late-nights getting home, and hours in the field than we ever anticipated, and yet, the 2023 season ended without ‘success’ (or so we thought.)

And this is where the real story lies:

Each day, as we were praying that this would be the day, Bella would burst out saying “I hope today is not the day, because I don’t want it to end.”
In the moment of our deepest discouragement, Wes piped up “this is the greatest hunt I’ve ever had.”

It was those moments that we realized the bigger picture-the picture we could have never painted if everything went as we planned.

As Alzheimers stands at the door threatening Wes’ memory, we realize that if we had gone out only a few times and succeeded in our goal, that memory would have come and gone- but with hours and hours, weeks and weeks, and 2 falls in the field, the experiences were repeated, making deeper connections in the brain, allowing memories to stick for a little longer.

We also know that time is a thief and it is unknown what the next stage of their journey holds. The unplanned length of this adventure allowed Wes and Bella to create memories, experiences, and moments together that would take most of us 10 years to build.

Our plans fell through, but God’s plan came through-
and it was BEYOND what could have asked for.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
Eph. 3:20

As Called Beyond made plans for the next season, Wes and Bella spent the summer reminiscing of the previous fall, and looking forward to the next.

2024 arrived and we headed back out.
On day three, year two,
Wes stood by his daughter’s side as she pulled the trigger and dreams came true!

This memory will be one that we won’t let fade…

Sadly, with the nature of the Alzheimers, the memories Wes has of this hunt will fade, but as Wes and Bella sit around the table over the next year, they can look down at their plate and know that together through their hard work, perseverance, love, and so much laughter, they provided for their family. They can re-tell the experience they had as a father-daughter team. As memories further fade, the short film will provide a way for Wes and Bella to re-live the story again.