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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: kskickapoo on January 02, 2022, 10:04:00 PM

Title: My best deer...
Post by: kskickapoo on January 02, 2022, 10:04:00 PM
I just finished reading through the "What Happened" thread and can relate with many of the posts there and thought I'd contribute something to this site that I have enjoyed for so many years.  I don't post often but have used this meeting place to enjoy the stories from those that were successful, could teach something, or those (like Kevin Dill, Missouri Sherpa, Littlebigman, etc) who's writing skills could take you there and live their story or experience as your own.  I can't write like that but appreciate those who can. 

This story is about my deer this year.  Not my biggest I've ever killed but by far the most satisfying and appreciated. I hunted for only two days this year and felt blessed to be able to even be in the field as I was (and still am) recovering from Covid.  July 21st of this year I contracted covid and on the 25th was hospitalized with pneumonia and respiratory failure.  I don't recall much from the 25th until August 11th when I woke up and was able to be on a less invasive airway management system.  I gradually improved and when I was able to maintain an adequate O2 saturation level 90% or better I was released to convalesce at my home. 

On August 26th as soon as I got home and situated on my cot in my front room, while attached to my home O2 I picked up my bow and tried to draw it back.  Pitiful is the best description.  I couldn't even pull back 6" let alone 28.  My stay in the hospital bed had robbed me of my strength.  I had dreamed of dying while I was asleep but when I woke up and would struggle to breathe, KNEW that I wouldn't but I had no idea how hard it would be to get back to 100%.  I began working out with resistance bands and 10lb bar bells as much as I could before my 02 level would drop and I felt like passing out.  I spent the next several weeks just pacing back in forth in between my kitchen and den (on my 02 leash) building up my endurance and my wind and dreaming about if I would be able to hunt this year.

Our archery season starts in September and of course I was no where near ready to or even able to walk into my stand setups.  I continued to work at drawing my bow and eventually could shoot a much lighter setup, but not my bow.  When November arrived and I knew the big boys would be roaming past my stands I tried once again to shoot my bow and could finally manage to get two maybe three shots before I ran out of steam.  I figured it was now or never and as long I had a shot I felt comfortable with I could get out and hunt.

On November 12 on my second hunt where I would only have to walk 75 yards to reach the base of my stand located in a hedge row, I climbed up and settled in before daylight.  At 7:15 this young buck trotted by and I grunted at him stopping him at 5 yards from the base of my tree.  As I bent over at my waist and struggled to draw back my bow it just came naturally back to my anchor and it was done.  He ran less than 30 yards heart shot and passed quickly.  I climbed down and walked up to him and thanked our Creator for the gift to nourish my body and for my life. 
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Gen273 on January 02, 2022, 10:24:14 PM
Congratulations on the Buck! I also want to thank you for sharing your story, and I pray that you are closer to fully recovering now.
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: GCook on January 02, 2022, 10:31:05 PM
Nothing wrong with that buck.  He looks dang good to me.
Hope your recovery is proceeding went and finishes out for you.
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: arrow30 on January 02, 2022, 11:38:19 PM
congratts ! on a fine young buck, glad you made it through. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Gun on January 02, 2022, 11:50:22 PM
Well done. Hope you make a full recovery
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Jayrod on January 03, 2022, 06:29:40 AM
Congrats and godbless sounds like hell but determination and hard work made you where your at be proud and keep at the rehab! Thxs for sharing!
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Dave Lay on January 03, 2022, 07:54:22 AM
Thank you for sharing your story . Congrats on the nice buck , that’s awesome
 It’s great to hear stories like this where determination results in a very positive result .    Thanks again for sharing
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: kennym on January 03, 2022, 07:54:40 AM
Great job!! Hope your recovery continues well!  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 03, 2022, 08:04:30 AM
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: KAZ on January 03, 2022, 08:39:54 AM
Well done on all accounts :clapper:

Praise God Indeed  :notworthy:

May He continue to Bless & Restore you to full health  :pray: :campfire:
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Cory Mattson on January 03, 2022, 08:40:51 AM
Congratulations
Keep healing.
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Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Bowguy67 on January 03, 2022, 11:41:20 AM
Brother a sincere congratulations. When I was sick a few years back i went through the similar need to relearn even talking/walking. Shooting was tough but like you I wanted it. The first deer that fall was like a miracle and like my first time ever. I’m proud of you buddy and you deserve to be real proud of yourself. Congrats again and God bless ya!
Living the dream again is what’s it all about!!!!
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: kenboonejr on January 03, 2022, 12:39:59 PM
Man that is a great story.  I am glad to hear you got through the worst of it and hope you continue on your path to getting back to 100%.  That was a huge victory!
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: rastaman on January 03, 2022, 02:32:53 PM
Thanks for sharing your hunt and success with us. Prayers for your continued recovery!  Very nice buck by the way! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: SS Snuffer on January 03, 2022, 04:02:22 PM
Been there, it's BAD STUFF.
Glad you made it . Maybe some people will read your story and wake up.
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Bowwild on January 03, 2022, 04:47:20 PM
Wow, that Covid experience is nasty.  I'm glad you were able to recover enough, soon enough to have that hunt!
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Wudstix on January 03, 2022, 05:52:27 PM
Good to hear, I didn't get out this season.  Not for health reasons, just no place to hunt.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2:
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: gregg dudley on January 03, 2022, 05:53:09 PM
NICE deer and great story.  This is what I hope to read when I tune in here.  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: ALDO on January 03, 2022, 07:02:43 PM
Congrats on your deer and your perseverance and commitment to continuing to get stronger. Well done!
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Possum Head on January 03, 2022, 09:14:53 PM
Very nice congrats!
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Tim Reese on January 04, 2022, 05:13:45 PM
Congrats!
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Shane H on January 04, 2022, 10:41:01 PM
 Great story and great attitude! God is Great!
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Basinboy on January 05, 2022, 05:20:47 PM
Congratulations Sir! I pray you get back to 100% soon!
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: huntingcop on January 05, 2022, 09:20:06 PM
Congrats on the buck!! Prayers that you continue to recover
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on January 06, 2022, 01:24:42 PM
Congrats on a great buck. I hope your recovery continues
Title: Re: My best deer...
Post by: varmint101 on January 07, 2022, 11:10:08 PM
Glad you were able to get out! Congratulations!