Rooster Hunt!

We had a mean rooster.

We used to have three roosters that we turned out of our chicken pen into our back pasture. One by one, they disappeared. Except for Cocky Locky. He just developed a mean streak and has fought off dogs (both ours and the neighbors) multiple times. He didn't seem to miffed about having to forage for food for the past year, and seemed unperturbed by the elements. He was gradually becoming more and more of a threat to people who dared enter "his pasture"...

Our nephews had been after me for a while to let them shoot him, and our boys quickly jumped in in that plan. So today was Cocky Locky's last day... We told the boys they had to use their bows to make it a little more of a challenge (and so there wasn't BB guns popping off every couple seconds!!). Landon and Lincoln joined Riley and Scott for the "hunt". 

First, they dared to enter Cocky Locky's domain... (Something about holding a weapon must have made them feel pretty powerful!!) 

They lined up and took aim...

Two hits... But they both bounced right off!! We all suddenly realized it may take a little more "umph" to take down this tough old bird than we'd thought!! Cocky Locky acted unconcerned, and continued to strut and crow, occasionally fluffing himself up to intimidate the hunters...

They lined up again...

Once again, a few solid hits! But Cocky Locky escaped into the "woods"...

So the Mighty Hunters took off after him (amid their Mother's reminders of not shooting each other, please!)...

After a few more hits, Cocky Locky tumbled out of his perch and into the pond, pierced through by Riley's arrow.

Riley waded chest deep into the pond to retrieve their prize, the arrows were gathered and the Mighty Hunters began the re-telling the story of their courageous act to the girls, who watched from a very safe distance!

(Quinn, not having a bow, got his chance at "shooting" the rooster with his popgun!)

And the Mighty Hunters are already begging me to get a few more roosters that can grow up and be hunted!! :-)

We all celebrated with lunch at Dairy Queen... not quite as "home-steader" as we'd once believed!! ;-)

What fun it is to have BOYS!!