Two years ago, one of my best friends passsed away at the young age of 30. He bowhunted as well, but we never were able to chase deer together as he lived in Wyoming and I am in Massachusetts." One day" we always said.
Since his passing I have thought of him in the woods quite often. Last year on a particularly slow morning, I was talking to him and a doe magically appeared. She walked 60 yards right to the base of my tree, where my arrow found its mark. I thanked my friend, and relished in the moment.
This past Saturday (11/12) I was back in that same stand. Once again it was a slow afternoon, and I was thinking of my friend. As I looked around, a doe appeared bedded on the trail I had walked in on, only 30 yards away. It was the kind morning so quiet that a mouse sounds like an elephant. How she got there without me hearing I'll never know.
I have had a tough start to the year. Shooting a big buck in the shoulder with zero penetration last week, and had missed a doe at 5 yards the day before.
I looked up, and asked my friend to guide the doe to me... and guide he did.
The doe walked in to 8 yards, as my arrow sank into her lungs.
She took off on impact, and immediately I heard what sounded like a freight train coming through the woods. I turned to see a thick dark buck crashing through the woods after the fleeing doe.
I drew while I bleated, as loud as i could, knowing he may not stop. When he amazingly locked up in a shooting lane, my second arrow was instantly on its way. The shot felt good, sounded good, and the buck had whirled and crashed off...
I looked up and said "We did it buddy"!!!
(http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/tylercmoore22/IMG_1458_zpssqkz4kdu.jpg) (http://s725.photobucket.com/user/tylercmoore22/media/IMG_1458_zpssqkz4kdu.jpg.html)
(http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/tylercmoore22/IMG_1459_zpsgc12ulfr.jpg) (http://s725.photobucket.com/user/tylercmoore22/media/IMG_1459_zpsgc12ulfr.jpg.html)
(http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/tylercmoore22/IMG_1461_zpsp6uxo0d8.jpg) (http://s725.photobucket.com/user/tylercmoore22/media/IMG_1461_zpsp6uxo0d8.jpg.html)
(http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww255/tylercmoore22/IMG_1464_zps7pombt94.jpg) (http://s725.photobucket.com/user/tylercmoore22/media/IMG_1464_zps7pombt94.jpg.html)
The doe was recovered and went straight into the freezer. The buck was well over #200, and needed to be quarterd and packed out. Needless to say I am beyond grateful for the opportunity and physical ability to experience nature in this special way in which we all do....
Congrats,that is a nice one.
:thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper: Your friend was there with you all the way........
Tyler,
Congrats on an epic hunt!!!
Very cool! And that buck is a brute! Congrats on both and great shooting !
Great Job Congrats! :thumbsup:
Congrats!
That is an incredible buck! I wonder how many times my prayers have been answered just as yours. Thank you for sharing.
Also, where abouts did you take him? As in state or county?
Michael, took him in northern Massachusetts.
Enjoyed that....well told story.
Nice shooting. And nice boots - I have the same and love them for early season hunting
Atta'boy
Tim
Awesome job, congrats.
Great Job! Heck of a old warrior there. Congrats on both deer.
What a tank of a buck! Congrats!
Nicely told. When we talked I thought you drew on the doe but the came in and drove her off. That makes the tale even more incredible. Cograts again!
oops double post from the phone, but double congrats
YES!!!
Congrats
Wow! That is a bruiser! Congrats to you!
I enjoyed this a lot! As I am sure your friend did as well? Congrats to you on a special day! :notworthy: :notworthy:
Wow!
Gives a fella the chills just reading that one.
:thumbsup:
Nice talking to you last nite. See you Sunday.
Wow!! What a hunt! Congrats!!
Great story. Great deer
That's awesome, happy for you :thumbsup: Great buck :clapper:
A special time for sure! Congrats on a great buck and doe!
Very nice buck there Tyler. Congrats on that one.
Dry nice buck there Tyler. Congrats on that one.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Fond memories are often a good measure of a friendship. It is good that you remember your buddy and think of him while hunting. Congratulations on a very nice deer.
Wow, that's a great MA buck. Congrats on the double.
Nice story about you and your friend...you were blessed for sure ! Nice buck!
Beautiful! Congratulations.
Thanks for sharing.
What a great deer.
I think of my grandfather when in the woods. I never got to hunt with him. He died 2 weeks before my first year carrying a gun. 2 weeks later I killed my first deer from the tree he killed his first. Keep carrying your friend with you. I will be hitting the woods to squirrel hunt and scout a new deer hunting area this week. I will be thinking of him since squirrel hunting was his favorite. Great story.
Congratulations, nice deer and a very memorable story to go with them. Thanks for sharing!
Bernie
Congrats on two great deer and a great experience.
Thanks for sharing!
thanks for taking us along , that was a special hunt :campfire:
Great job Tyler.
Congrats on the doe and a nice buck!
congrats
Awesome
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Outstanding!!!
What a day! You were blessed my friend!
Great deer and story!
Congrats!!!
Great story, Congratulations and nice buck :thumbsup:
Wow! What a cool story!
Congrats on both!
Bisch
:archer:
Very nice Buck !!!