Wednesday last my wife and I had dinner at the Chinese restaurant in our little town (we only have 4 total eating spots so we rotate). My wife is a good sport, knows how much all of this means to me, and knows this year has been a struggle. First, the elk hunt of my dreams. Seven years to draw and a herd bull that still keeps me up at night that took an arrow to the shoulder. I lost that bull, and although he was back with his cows the next day limping I chose to notch my tag and go home. Not as a defeated hunter but it was my last day and all I could do is glass him in the spotting scope and think what could have been. Since that time I have struggled. My shooting digressed, I missed a whopper of a 4 year old buck and have had 7 different bucks that I wanted to kill in range only to be snakebit by laziness (not trimming a better lane), unwilling angles, and bad shooting on the one. So this Wednesday when the fortune cookies came my wife giggled and slid hers my way. She said "Here, I got yours. Kill a big buck already and quit whining!" We are people of faith. I pray, I believe. But when I looked at it I just laughed but kept that darn thing!
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/image-39.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/image-39.jpg.html)
*Yep still got it!
So Thursday morning rolled around and I was beat up by whitetails. I went to my favorite turkey spot and just hunted fall birds. I nearly got it done too with my ghilli! I made it home for the family dinner: nieces, nephews, great food! It was awesome. At 2ish I give my wife "the look". You know it fellas, the look of willing obedience. The I will stay if you want but I really want to hunt look. No surprise, my wife grinned and I was outa there!
In the tree by 3 and buckled up with my favorite (and only) recurve. I had been hunting with my Talltines longbow, my bombproof hunt everything piece. Today I was feeling the old Bear 66 Kodiak I got from 1/4 Away from here. It is just a sweet shooting old bow:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck002.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck002.jpg.html)
*Lookin Purty
At 315 I heard footsteps. Our rut is winding down but we have a few cruisers. A not yet buck stops perfect. The 66 and I just watch:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck008.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck008.jpg.html)
*How bout this shot fellas?
As he leaves I look to the heavens and thank the Lord for that. I needed that. Seeing a buck on his feet in a set I just hung the week before makes me feel like I already succeeded. I like it when they do what they are supposed to do. That means this will be a keeper set. Hey you know it is early. I still have time for a big one to roll in. What is that, another buck, slight limp but on the trail this set is targeting. Yep, grab the bow. I like this one...
:campfire:
:thumbsup:
Oh boy oh boy! At work today....this is just what I needed!!! C'mon Mike!
Tuned in, Mike! Can't wait to see how this story ends!
Bisch
The buck gets through my lane before I can shoot. It is an awkward angle back behind me now. He stops and I decide it cant be done. As if he read my mind he does a 180 and begins to come back to the lane I needed. He takes a closer trail and will soon be at 12 yards but directly in my scent stream. I don't let him get there. I remember bearing down, picking a spot, something on the other buck I did not do. He stops at the right spot at the right time and I hear that hollow thump that we as bowmen crave to hear. I watch him go quickly at first, then across the creek I was using as one side of my funnel, then to a stop, then...down. Quietly.
I allow the tears to come. I wont lie. I am emotional. I am relieved. I am so thankful for the blessing. After this year, this guilt laden, what could have been year this is perfect!
I look at my watch and its 330. I call my wife from the tree to see if either kid wants to help. My son and two nieces are out the door before she could get coats enough for them. I know he is down and I know my 11 year old has wanted a blood trail this year to work on his own. He is a budding hunter. He craves to shoot and to hunt and to be like his dad. That is enough for me.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck001.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck001.jpg.html)
*My budding lefty
I go to meet them and to get the Ranger we have for hauling kids and farm chores more than getting whitetails out, but today it will do both. I allow Seth to find the arrow and begin the trail:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck009.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck009.jpg.html)
*Perfect
I know where this trail leads but I let my son and his cousins sort it out. The two girls are intrigued and ask a million questions. Like a veteran of many trails Seth gives them mostly-right answers. I point out that the fingers of the trail tell us the direction of the animal. They take to the track pretty well:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck011.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck011.jpg.html)
*Bubbles, lots of bubbles.
At last Seth sees him, the girls too. I have a rule about animals I have shot. No one touches them until the person who has taken their life touches them. It is steadfast rule that I encourage my family and friends to honor. My son knows this but today I let my rule go. I nod with tears again as he finally gets his blood trail and his buck, and touches my deer.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck010.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck010.jpg.html)
*There he is
SOOO Jacked for you Mike,,, Congrats! You're not making the "no tears in the firehall" rule easy. I'm welling!
Oh. Mike, that is a beautiful buck! Can't wait to see some more pics!
Bisch
Nice! Can't wait to see the close ups. thanks for the story
This is great! I think all of us go through the years you speak of and question so many things but all is right with the world today. Congrats! Looks like a beauty from here.
Mike this is Awesome News! Congrats, looking forward to tyhe pic with you and the trackers along with the bow given to you by your "Brother" Fred!
My wife is there with the kids and sees me emotional. She knows how tough this year has been. Something I love so much, that I think I am good at, has been a struggle. I never recovered from my elk hunt. It was the hardest thing I have been through as a hunter. This day took alot of that away! Having her there, surrounded by curious children on my own slice of heaven. This old buck is the first one I have taken off our dream property: a little 100 acre piece that we now call home. I have passed a ton of 2 1/2 year old deer to find one that is three. I am happy and soak up all I can in the moment with my family:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck013.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck013.jpg.html)
*In situ
We begin the field dressing chores with my son and wife helping and the nieces asking questions. I find a slug in his shoulder from last year. Combined with the rut this explains his rundown appearance. Surprisingly, he has no upper left lung. It is scarred down from the bullet wound. His pericardial sac is also scarred down to his left side. My arrow has taken out the left lower lobe of the lung and the right upper lobe on exit. What a tough bird this buck was: he survived last summers EHD, a bullet wound but not a sharp arrow from a traditional bow. After the work was finished we took some pics and just enjoyed the moment.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck016.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck016.jpg.html)
*Happy Family
We all took our turns dragging as it was a fair poke to the Ranger. I enjoyed watching the kids fight gravity and just held my wife's hand and smiled, realizing this moment is special. This may spur my nieces into becoming hunters and encourage my son more. It certainly blessed me.
I took up the last 1/8 mile while the kids carried the gear. It was the end of a great day. One of Thanksgiving, of family, and of joy for this bowhunter.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck019.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck019.jpg.html)
BEAUTIFUL!!
A fine buck and a finer story ... congrats Mike, great family adventure
That is just awesome Mike!
Congrats again, brother!
Bisch
Mike, thank you for sharing and believing in yourself. What a great day indeed that won't soon be forgotten.
My equipment was a Bear Kodiak, 1966, 60 inches 50 pounds at 28. I draw to 30". My arrow was a Trad Only 340 with a 250gr Brown Bear Aboyer, total arrow weight 600 grains.
I broke him down today and got some great cuts for the family. For breakfast we had some great fried tenderlion and some jerky is already going!
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/image-38.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/image-38.jpg.html)
*Breakfast
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck024.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck024.jpg.html)
*Jerky time!
Thanks for reading my yarn. It means alot to share it with you guys and look forward to your stories as well!
Mike, Your story is inspiring. The pictures are a great touch. Thanks for sharing your Perfect day of thanks!
"Thanks for reading my yarn. It means a lot to share it with you guys and look forward to your stories as well".....
No brother....THANK YOU!
So, so happy for you :clapper:
A great story with a happy ending. Congratulations!
Awesome! I didn't think it was a long story! Just a long time coming!
congrats to you sir. Time well spent and a great buck!
Well done Mike, Congrats on all accounts!!
Congratulations what a great story buck and memories that will last a lifetime :) I had a tough year too biggest buck of my life 160" and I could never get my shot he would never come close enough but it was great feeling that I got close and had a buck that big never know I was there now to deal with gun hunters Monday but I won't give up even if I have to freeze in winter bow congrats and best of luck to everyone
Great story, great buck....thanks for sharing!
Thank you. I always like to see when the kids are involved.
Ray
Thanks for sharing, Great buck and even better story!!
Congrats Mike! Thanks for sharing your story!
Congratulations Mike! Beautiful buck and a great hunting story.
Joe
Really appreciated the story Mike and how the family is so involved in the things important to you.
Great buck and story Mike! Thanks for sharing! You have been blessed indeed!!!
That's a great story Mike! Congrats buddy! Amazing how tough they can be. A lot of people wonder if a deer can live on one lung. Obviously they sometimes can!
that is a hell of a buck. wow. worth the wait. I totally understand the tough year thing too man, its been one for me as well. congrats on the good ending.
Damn Mister,,, that is a fine looking buck. Happy times and congrats.
Well done all the way around! Great story, pictures and deer.
:thumbsup:
-Jay
Congratulations AGAIN pard!
That is the perfect Thanksgiving tale.
Congratulations on having a warm, close family, that started with picking the perfect wife. Or did she pick you?
I have a few very Zen fortunes from our old, long gone Chinese restaurant. They all say the same thing.
"Strike while the iron is".
Good thing you did! (Then and on Thanksgiving. )
Killdeer
Beautiful tale and deer. Congrats and great work!
that is a fine animal... out standing.
Great story and buck. Really enjoyed it!
Congrats Mike, that is a great deer that you really deserved! Thanks for the story and the pictures.
Great story and pics!!! Way to persevere! I totally get how you felt as I have been there myself.
For the rest of their days those young ones will start many a gathering with ...."Remember the time...?"
Thanks for sharing.
Great story and pics!!! Way to persevere! I totally get how you felt as I have been there myself.
Fantastic Mike !
Congrats Mike, thanks for sharing such a nice buck. I love to see the kids helping out. I can't wait to the day my 2 kids can help me drag out my buck or I can help them.
Congrats! That is great Buck.
Outstanding!!! Thank you for sharing the story the way that you did Mike. I have a feeling there are many of us that can relate to the series of events you went through. The mountaintops make the valleys worth it. Congrats!!!
Congratulations Mike! That huge weight has been lifted off you, enjoy the moment with those you love and love you. You did good :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Mike,
I don't know you, but I truly enjoyed your story! Thanks for sharing. Perseverance is an invaluable trait for a bow hunter to have! Nice work.
Congratulations. Nice buck.
Congratulations Mike. Very happy for you.
Great story and pics!!! Way to persevere! I totally get how you felt as I have been there myself.
Dandy buck,a fine story and a great family,congrats,and thanks for sharing. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice shooting Mike!! Enjoyed your story and congrats on a nice buck!
What a nice story and a great buck! Congratulations and thanks for sharing your special hunt! :thumbsup:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
congratts! :thumbsup: you earned that buck.
Heck of a deer!
Great story and buck! congrats.
That's an awesome story! To get that buck on thanksgiving is epic! God is good!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Beauty Mike!
Awesome!!
Nice photos and real nice deer. Congrats on the clean kill.
Wow
Congratulations !!!
Well, it ain't over till it's over.
THAT Story, Buck and Family moment sure makes up for a lot.
Thanksgiving is right.
Wow, what a story! That was awesome. Thanks for taking us along and I appreciate your honesty about the emotions you felt. Heck, I had watery eyes just reading it! We need more people like you in our world.
Congrats!
Mike, great story and an awesome buck. Congrats ! It was well deserved.
Great thread, congratulations... :thumbsup:
A GREAT story! Congrats on a beautiful buck!
NICE!! Congrats on the whole deal. Makes me want to dust off my old '66.
Fantastic!
Thank you!!
Congratulations!!
Thank you Lord for my brother!
God bless,Mudd
... :thumbsup: ...
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Great Buck Mike. Congrats!
Love the story! Thanks for sharing and congratulations!
what a truly blessed hunt and especially having the family included thats what its all about..CONGRATULATIONS!!
wow! What a touching and beautifel story. CONGRATULATIONS. Thank you so much for sharing it with us all.
Tony
Mike great buck and even better pic of the family.Just got back from the woods had deer all around me but no shot.Congrats on the buck had read about your bad luck at those big bucks around your place.I have hogs makeing a mess at a couple of stands and son-in-law says we can catch specs and reds in the winter also so we need to soon talk about coming to Louisiana early next year.Take care Kip
Thanks for the inspirational story, Congrats.
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Wow Mike, what a story book ending to a long and frustrating season. I couldn't be happier for you bud! Believe me, I know exactly the feelings that you went through this fall. I've sure been there myself. To be able to redeem it like you did must be the ultimate high for a Bowhunter.
Congratulations my friend!
A great buck and a wonderfully written tale. Congratulations!
I really appreciate all the kind words. Sharing this story with my friends here was very important to me because so many times I get to live vicariously through all of you! It is a day I will never forget and the memories of the hunt and recovery team will stand out as one of the greatest days if my life.
Good luck to all of you the rest of the year! Me? I got another buck tag and an appointment with an old buck I call Boo Radley. He is hanging out on a farm I got permission to hunt for 3 years now. I am coming armed with renewed confidence and a very sharp broadhead. Thanks again :campfire:
A great buck and a wonderfully written tale. Congratulations!
Congrats Mike on a truly inspiring story! Oh, and that buck was a dandy! :clapper:
Oh yea, you rock! :thumbsup:
Fine job Mike!! That pic of you and the kids is just it!! Congrats man!
That's a five star story all the way around!!! Man I'm stoked for your success Mike, a well deserved deer!!!! Great job spending a memorable moment with the family....I've been there its great!!!! Congrats on the deer and the family. Joe
Thanks again everyone. I am blown away by all of your comments!
When I broke down my buck (with my sons help of coarse) we dug this slug out of the scapula. What is interesting is that the scapula was intact but fractured in many pieces. The shoulder itself was fully functional and not broken. It looked like bullet fragments had went around the scapula to deflate the left upper lung. This guy was TOUGH!
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/image-40.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/image-40.jpg.html)
*Chunk of lead
So all of this tells me that even a high shoulder shot with a gun isn't enough. Lungs, away from heavy bone, always! I salvaged a ton of meat off this old guy. He had next to zero fat either run down from the rut, last years wound or both. Either way he is going to make a fine Euro mount for mine and Seth's man cave! We have made a bunch of jerky and one batch of summer sausage. It is good to be meat rich and money poor :campfire:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/image-41.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/image-41.jpg.html)
*Jerky for the cold days
Wow, what a great story !!!
Well done, and well told..
And a fine buck, congratulations ..
Incredible buck, congrats!
Sounds like a perfect day. It's really nice to see perserverance pay off. Congratulations!
What an awesome turnaround on a hard season. Bless you.
Great story Mike, Congrats on a well deserved, beautiful buck. Great job!
Tom
Mike, that was a fantastic story and a beautiful buck.
Congratulations on a fine day!!
Fantastic story and buck! Will miss you in hog camp this coming weekend - but I know that prior commitments are to be honored!
Best of luck on the balance of your deer hunting season!
Brother Mike,
This year has been a ride. We have traveled literally thousands of miles together from Nebraska to the Great North. From Bears to Turkeys. I wish I had been there with you on your elk hunt and in some small way I was. Words can not express how proud I am of you and your buck. I knew the anguish you were in from the elk. The deflation you were experiencing when some early season whitetail shots when other than where expected. I can't tell you how pumped I was when I turned my phone on at work Thanksgiving day and got your pic. Your a great bow hunter my friend. But beyond that a great man. So as this is a Thanksgiving day buck I will say I am Thankful to call you my friend and hunting partner. So happy for you. Glad your "back". Congratulations my friend. David
Dave, thanks so much! We are going to burn some more miles up in the years to come. We have only scratched the surface on the critters we are going to chase. Calling you my friend and knowing that we think and hunt alike is a blessing my brother :campfire:
Fantastic hunt and story Mike! Way to stay faithful! God bless brother!
Man, what a great story and great deer. Congratulations to you!!!
Love this read.
Well done Mike.
"yes Virgina, there are a few that still get what bowhunting is about"
Mike , bring the fortune cookie to Nebraska for our hunt
Fantastic Mike simply fantastic!! well done and well told!
:clapper:
Fantastic job Mike. Congrats Brother!
Outstanding, Mike! Congratulations! Thanks for Thanks for taking the kids and us along.
Great story. Those of us who elk hunted and deer hunt end up with a lot of hours spent a field. It can make for some wonderful times but it can also be very frustrating if we fail the test that nature presents us or if we never get the chance to take that test.
When it all comes together it makes you realize how fortunate we are. I would say you passed the test.
CK
Wow... I couldn't help but imagine you a bloodied Rocky Balboa face down on the canvas with your wife, your Adrian, pleading with you to pull yourself up by the ropes and keep fighting! Keep fighting with the one eye that's not swollen shut and the two fists heavy as anvils. I was baptized by fire my first traditional season in similar fashion. That was a deep valley to crawl out of, but it was a gift given in an ugly bag, and I saw that hunting traditional requires much of the hunter. Congratulations to you, Sir! You rose from the mat and came home with a beautiful Thanksgiving buck!
Congrats!!!
Thanks for posting, i needed that story.
I missed a real nice buck for my area on Saturday. Didn't pick a spot and rushed the shot and just grazed his back. Just like you, all the doubt settled in and the day to day worrying about whether i will mess up again has been plauging me this week. After reading your story my mind is back on track for this saturdays hunt.
Attaboy Mint! Get after it!
Thanks again my friends. I showed my kids the pics of us "up top". They got a big kick out of it!