Two shots, W
two deer,
three smiles
Story & photos
by Angel Carpenter
Walt Gentis - A hunting story
alt Gentis practically lives and breathes hunt-
ing, but his greatest joy is sharing his knowl-
edge of the sport with family and friends.
Gentis, a Canyon City resident and retired
Malheur Lumber Company timber manager, has
been hunting since he was 8 or 9 years old.
He started his hunting adventures on Miller Mountain near Canyon
City, and still hunts there to this day with permission from Malheur,
which owns the land.
That’s where he took his grandkids Jack and Cheyenne Gentis for
their first hunt four years ago, when Jack was 12 and Cheyenne was 15.
Before the big day, he taught them in target practice.
Among the basics he taught: “Keep the deer’s shoulder in the
crosshairs,” and “Don’t lift your head, keep your head on the stock, come
back with the recoil, then count to three before you lift your head,” he
said.
“The kids were really excited about
hunting, and it was the first time for them
Rule No. 1: if
both,” he said.
They had a buck rifle tag for the Mur-
you can’t get
derers Creek Unit.
the pickup to it,
When hunting day arrived Walt took
Jack out first – the senior Gentis had spotted
don’t shoot it.
three nice bucks earlier, and knew where to
locate them.
In hunting, he said, the trick is to “know
Rule No. 2: If
where the animal will be and intercept
you break rule
them.”
Walking along and peeking over a ridge,
No. 1, you’re on
they found the deer.
your own!”
“I told Jack to sit down and get ready –
remain calm and cool,” he said. “There’s no
reason to get excited – once it’s laying on the ground, then you can get
excited.”
Walt continued, “Jack asked ‘does this gun kick, grandpa?’ – I told
him this gun is tried and true, and you won’t miss. When that gun went
off, it knocked him plumb over.”
Jack shot his deer from about 70 yards with his grandpa’s favorite
hunting rifle, a 721 Remington in 30-06 caliber.
Cheyenne was up next, and she also hit her target on the first shot,
from about 100 yards.
“It was two shots, two deer, two happy grandkids and a happy
grandpa,” Walt said.
He said he also makes the kids “gut what they hunt.”
“I coached Jack, he gutted, and he did a good job,” he said.
Gentis has had many successful hunts over the years, evidenced by the
many antler displays in his home and shop.
He said that success developed as he learned about the habits of deer,
elk and other wildlife he hunts.
Fifty years ago he followed a 6x7-point elk through the Strawberry
Wilderness during a hunt.
He tracked the animal for 17 miles, then shot it.
A short time later, he was fortunate to come upon another hunter who
drove him back to camp.
“Rule No. 1: if you can’t get the pickup to it, don’t shoot it,” he said.
“Rule No. 2: If you break rule No. 1, you’re on your own!”
Since that long hike, going after that elk, Gentis has learned a better
way to hunt.
He said it’s important to understand the animal, knowing what they’re
going to do.
Walt Gentis shows a picture of his grandkids' first hunt, which he took them on four years ago.
16 • Grant County Hunting Journal 2015
MyEagleNews.com