8 year old hunter bags his prize

In the first five minutes of the elk hunting season, 8-year-old George Vincent of Snoqualmie set his eyes on a 750-pound elk, pulled the trigger and hit his target.

Vincent, who attends second grade at Snoqualmie Elementary School, bagged his first elk as the season began Saturday, Nov. 7.

"I pulled the trigger, and, bam, he wobbled," George said.

Hunting with his father and grandfather since age 3, Vincent started shooting a 30-06 rifle at age 6. He spent a year studying for his hunting license, which he received last December at Black Diamond Gun Club in Enumclaw.

He hunted for nine days during last month's deer season, spotting more than 20 bucks, but couldn't get a shot lined up.

"George was very careful not to take a shot unless everything was right," said his father, Mike Vincent.

Washington is one of few states in the United States that does not have a minimum age limit on hunting licenses. As soon as a hunter passes the test and shows that he can safely use a firearm, he is allowed a license.

Hunting is a family sport for the Vincents. Mike Vincent grew up hunting with his dad, starting at age 10.

George loves to hunt, Mike said, getting up at 5:30 a.m. and quickly getting ready to go.

When asked how and where he got so lucky, George was careful not to reveal their good family friend, Mark Torres' special hunting spot.

"It's amazing that he was lucky enough to get one like that," Mike said. "Hopefully it doesn't spoil him.

Allowed only one tag a season, George's elk hunting this season is up until next year.

The Vincents brought George's elk to the local butcher who turned it into breakfast sausage links and pepperoni.

George offered advice to fellow hunters who would like to follow in his successful footsteos.

"You gotta be really patient," he said.

Contact Snoqualmie Valley Record Reporter Allison Espiritu at aespiritu@valleyrecord,com or 425-888-2311.

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