Sitting here at work today, I just recieved a call from my son Alex. He called to tell me ( in a most excited voice) that he just killed his first deer with a bow. A fat doe from 10 yds on the ground.
Alex isnt your typical teenager. He just turned 18, and has been taggin along in the deer woods with me literally since he was 2 weeks old. He chooses to hunt with traditional archery gear. His first season was with a Bear Kodiak Magnum. I bought him a Thunderstick Mag longbow after his first season. He hunted with that fora few years, and could never get a break. A few misses, deflections, and blown opportunities tested his resolve.
Never once did he give up on hunting with a real bow. Never once did he ever consider going to wheels. He is a traditional bowhunter from the start.
The Bear Grizzly he is currently shooting was given to him from the collection of our dear friend Bob Rezny after Bob passed away. The arrow, was one used in the 21 Arrow salute to Bob at the B4K Amy Pray shoot. After Alex shot that arrow in Bobs memory, he took it home and put a broadhead on it. Said he would hunt with that arrow and bow until he killed his first deer with it.
I am more than certain ol' Treestand6 is smilin down from Heaven today, knowing Alex finally put it all together.
Im stuck at work, working one of my last shifts at the FD before I retire on tuesday. Im bummed I couldnt be there with him to share the moment. But we had a good hunt last night together, and Im proud of him for his dedication, and perseverence. Just him being here to bowhunt this season is a blessing after the close brush with death he had in april when he broke his neck in a car crash.
Im proud of that kid of mine, thats for sure.
I dont have any pics yet, but I'll post one soon as I get one.
That is a great tribute to treestand6! Can't wait to hear the story and see the Picts. Congratulations to your son and you.
Keeping the Fath!
Magnus
It is an honor just to have been included in the sharing of this story.
And you should be proud too! Congrats to both you and your son........Thanks for sharing...Ryan
Your son is certainly made of the right stuff. You should be proud, of him and yourself. He is a reflection of what he learned from you. No son becomes of man of outstanding character without a positive adult influence. Congrats to you both! :clapper:
Sounds like a great kid,congrats to him and you also. :clapper:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/autumnarcher/AlexsDeer.jpg)
Lots to be proud of! Congrats. Nice to hear of a young man these days who won't lower his standards for instnt gratification. Even better knowing how special the arrow and bow are to you and him. Get out there Weds after retirement and spend as much time with him in the woods that you can.
How cool is this? Way !!! I'm saying...
Thank you for sharing this with us. It's a real heart warmer.
God bless,Mudd
Great news!!!
Heartfelt congrats to EVERYONE!!! :thumbsup:
Be proud Dad :clapper:
John, that is GREAT! And I hope things are real slow for the next couple days at the fire house. I know you are going to enjoy retirement!
You are a lucky to a have a son like that. Life is Good, so now that you are going to be retired go and enjoy Life!!!
Exceptional on multiple levels. Congratulations to the young archer and proud father.
Thanks Steve. Today is my last day on the rescue, I work Tuesday, but I'm just hangin out makin a huge batch of chili and dogs for my shift, and grillin steaks for my crew for dinner. Friday I head for The Island for a 5 day deer hunt. Boat is ready to go, gear is ready, and so am I. Takin my canvas tent, stove, some grub and my longbow. Life is good.
Blue Knight, you dont know how lucky we are to still have him. Almost lost him April 21st, but the good Lord, and 3 Guardian Angels were lookin out for him that day. Those angels are Bob, Amy, and his Grandpa.
We had a long talk in the ICU, and I told him every day from this day forward is a gift, and shame on him if he takes that for granted.
Hes fully recovered, and our time in the woods together is extra special. Seein him grow into a young man, gettin it done on his own is the paycheck for all the time spent. Hes the one on the left in my avatar pic, that was taken on his 12th birthday.
Thing is, the apple didnt fall far from the tree with that boy.
:clapper: :clapper: That is awesome John Congratulations to him
That's awesome, congrats to him!
I might add congratulations in retiring from the department! I hope to get there someday myself.
thanks for sharing, and sent him my congradulations
Congrats young man :bigsmyl: And if you get a chance i will buy your dads MOAB :laughing:
Way to stay with it Alex and congrats to both of you!
Congrats to him and you. The first is always a trophy no matter body size, number of points or gender. Something for him and you to share for a long time.
Also Brother, congrats on retiring from a demanding calling(job), I say calling because it takes a different breed of person to do our job. I like to say that we're just as stupid as horses, being that we also will run into a burning building. Enjoy your retirement.
Butch L
Narragansett, RI
Narragansett Fire Fighters
Local 1589
Thanks Butch, one of the things I hate about this job is all the stuff I miss while working a 24 hr shift schedule. This is a prime example.
I've been bouncing around the station as excited as when I got my first, and at the same time madas hell I couldnt be there to share it with him. But I take comfort knowing that all the time. all the mentoring, and a little lecturing has finally paid off, and he did this all on his own. Im proud as can be of that.
Next Sept I take him to Colorado for a month of chasing backcountry elk for a graduation present.
Congrats!
I am proud of you and your son,
best wishes on retirement :thumbsup:
That is great. Thanks for sharring!
Character. Sounds like the boy has Character. You should be proud.
:thumbsup:
God Bless,
Nathan
Better than killing them yourself!
Thanks for sharing.
:thumbsup: Congrats to both you and your son.
Awesome story! At least you did not have to gut and drag either! look on the brite side :-) Good luck on your junt tomorrow!
Thats good stuff right there.
What A Great Story!! Congrats to you both and thanks for sharing with us John... :thumbsup:
Lifelong hunting partner, and soon to be retired? Life IS good. Congrats to you both.
Very cool. Tell your son congrats from me and all of us here on Tradgang...no feeling quite like the first!
Travis
Congratulations to the both of you. Dad sure did a great job and Alex did too. I sure know how it feels...
God Bless, Pierre and Jean-Pierre
That is awesome! You are a lucky man. Congrats to your son.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/autumnarcher/009-1.jpg)
Finally got a chance to get a good pic of him with his trophy. He did a fantastic job gutting it too I might add. It wasnt his first time doing it, but that doe was squeaky clean. I dont think you could get that smile off his face with a wire brush.