Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: MnFn on November 06, 2021, 10:25:17 PM

Title: A reunion hunt
Post by: MnFn on November 06, 2021, 10:25:17 PM
Way back in 1959 or 1960,  I met another kid who liked many of the same things I did, (mainly hunting) and we became good friends. We were both about 7 years old.

We were together a lot, staying over at each other’s house, sneaking out very early in the morning to go scouting for deer at the edge of a small northern Minnesota town. We were also avid fishermen and in the same Cub Scout pack.  It was a great place for a kid to grow up around the lakes and streams of MN.

My dad was one of the early bow hunters around there.  He had a 56# Radtke recurve, quite possibly made by Tim Meigs. Once he took Kendall and I bowhunting  deer with him.  It was a great time, we saw some deer but no shots were attempted.

Unfortunately, both of our families moved away in different directions. I think we saw each other once or twice over the next year, but that was it.

About 60 years later, I discovered TRADGANG after I started bowhunting again with traditional gear.  I started reading threads and totally immersed myself in hunting with recurves and longbows.

Imagine my surprise when one day I saw my old childhood friend  Kendall posting about hunting with a longbow.  I sent him a message and we quickly began catching up on all that had happened over the years.

I invited Kendall to go hunting in Manitoba next year, but that was not an option.  But he said “ you should think of coming down to Kentucky and deer hunting with me.”

So, this past week Kendall and I spent  time bowhunting, trying to figure out deer patterns and moving stands.  It was great!  We had shooting opportunities but both of us elected to pass up deer in the hopes of finding a big, mature buck to try for.

At one point, as we were putting up a stand I mentioned to Kendall that it was like we picked up right where we left off 60 years ago!  He smiled and said “Deja Vu, I was thinking the same thing!”

To add to all of that, l met Kendall’s wife and what a great hostess she was. Wonderful meals everyday were waiting for us when we returned from hunting.  It was a fantastic week that was greatly enhanced by Mary.

Thanks TRADGANG for being the Avenue in which we were able to reunite.
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Deno on November 06, 2021, 10:32:52 PM
Great story.....nothing like hookin' up with old buddies   :shaka:
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: jhg on November 06, 2021, 11:15:01 PM
Two fortunate men in that photo.
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Sky-chief on November 07, 2021, 12:56:26 AM
Possibly the thread of the year.....
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Bisch on November 07, 2021, 05:35:45 AM
 Very cool story!!!

Bisch
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Pine on November 07, 2021, 07:36:35 AM
Thank you so much for sharing.  :campfire: :archer:
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: stevem on November 07, 2021, 10:01:46 AM
Wow!
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: jhg on November 07, 2021, 10:46:29 AM
Possibly the thread of the year.....


Agreed. X2
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: mec lineman on November 07, 2021, 11:07:31 AM
I have met many fine folks through Trad Gang. Two in particular is Nathan Killen and Aaron Miller. Great Men, awesome bowhunters and fellow Christians. I am glad you reunited with your old pal Gary. The next picture I see of your buddy, would not surprise me if he was holding a Stickflinger!
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: rastaman on November 07, 2021, 12:45:37 PM
That is awesome!
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Tater on November 07, 2021, 01:41:15 PM
I would say you had a very successful hunt.. :thumbsup:  I also reconnected with an old friend a few years ago through Trad Gang.
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Hermon on November 07, 2021, 02:59:37 PM
Great story.  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Cory Mattson on November 07, 2021, 05:07:43 PM
Very cool!!
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: 4dogs on November 07, 2021, 06:36:07 PM
 :campfire: :clapper: :clapper:
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: GCook on November 07, 2021, 07:33:35 PM
Good thread. 
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: MnFn on November 07, 2021, 11:32:10 PM
Funny you should mention that Craig.  One day we were shooting a few arrows and I let Kendall try my stickflinger. He commented “that bow is no slouch”.
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Cool Springer on November 10, 2021, 12:13:51 PM
So great to read. Wow, 60 years! It's funny how things change, but stay the same!
Very happy you were able to get together again.
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 10, 2021, 01:40:12 PM
Awesome.  Good friends are hard to find.  But when you do, they are forever.
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Alvey on November 10, 2021, 05:09:50 PM
That’s some cool stuff! Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Joe2Crow on November 10, 2021, 05:32:24 PM
Awesome story!
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Steve D on November 10, 2021, 06:40:47 PM
 A"Kindred Sprit" connection or should say reconnection for sure. Good for you two and thanks for posting this.
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: shoes on November 11, 2021, 07:55:06 PM
Wow thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: chase perry on November 11, 2021, 09:34:32 PM
Gary, that’s phenomenal!  Certainly a very special hunt, and blessing your paths reconvened. 

Good luck to you if you’re venturing out this weekend. 

Chase
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: kennyb on November 14, 2021, 12:51:09 PM
This is such a great story! So glad you could meet up with an old friend and do some hunting! Good for you guys!
Thanks for sharing!  :clapper:
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: fmscan on November 14, 2021, 06:09:35 PM
That story made my day!
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: thump on November 14, 2021, 08:33:15 PM
Great story,  thanks for sharing  :clapper: :clapper:
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Steve O on November 15, 2021, 09:50:46 PM
That’s really cool Gary. Glad you are getting out and about.
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Wudstix on November 28, 2021, 07:46:18 PM
Great story, heartwarming.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2:
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: ron w on November 29, 2021, 04:19:52 PM
Pretty cool :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A reunion hunt
Post by: Homey88 on December 08, 2021, 10:09:40 PM
Awesome story!