November 8,2013 Hunt - In memory of John Paul Polyniak

vintage-bears · November 13, 2013, 08:44:00 AM

Hey TG friends.
I'm not much of a story teller but in this case I have to share my hunt with you all.

As many of you know, I lost my dearest friend, mentor and brother this past year.
John Paul Polyniak.

I had elected to not hunt this year in his absence. In fact, I have not done much of anything archery related since his passing. I shot the bow here and there but felt no real enthusiasm.

Anyway, As fall does to most of us I found myself going upstate and finding peace there in our beloved autumn season. Always thinking of him.
I did go to the woods on 3 occasions for a couple hours but never once felt right about being there.

My wife and friends and even John's sister Diane would tell me to hunt because John would want me to. I decided to go back upstate and give it a go one more time.
I arrived Friday morning and got re acquainted with my bow. I did some stump shooting and it felt good to feel the string come back to full draw once again. This is something John and I did all the time and before each hunt. Now I'm not a bad shot with my recurve but this day was different.
I was hitting every thing I looked at. Never missed one, short or long distance did'nt matter this day.
I have not been shooting at all really and figured I'd be all over the place. But not this day.
Something was different this day. I don't know if it was the howling breeze coming out of the North?
The snow that came down in a flash then disappeared?
The calling hawk above who seemed to constantly be there while I shot my bow?
I don't know but one thing I do know is that John was heavy on my mind this day.
This day was November 8,2013.
A day that I shall never forget........

I will share the rest of this day later when I can properly put into words and post pics when I upload them.

Marc B. · November 13, 2013, 08:52:00 AM

It's good you went back out Philip. I lost one of my favorite hunting partners to a heart attack in 2007, Danny was only 50. I still have not been back into the places we hunted. Maybe in the late season I will try.

I understand and look forward to rest of your story.

Jayrod · November 13, 2013, 09:30:00 AM

Way to get back with it I am sure your bro is smiling down on you!!

November 13, 2013, 09:42:00 AM

Tuned in! It sounds like John was right there with you!

Bisch

Bud B. · November 13, 2013, 10:22:00 AM

Your journey and hunt was not yours alone, as you well know. I'm sure your friend was with you and was smiling all along every step.

wooddamon1 · November 13, 2013, 11:17:00 AM

cacciatore · November 13, 2013, 12:40:00 PM

Philip,I am glad you come back to hunt with John,keep him tnext to your side!

joe skipp · November 13, 2013, 01:32:00 PM

I met John when I had my trad shop opened here in Highland, John was from Stormville. We would spend hours talking bowhunting, fly fishing and his greatest love was collecting old Bear bows. A true gentlemen....very sorry to hear of his passing.

vintage-bears · November 13, 2013, 03:28:00 PM

I'm back and thank you for bearing with me.

I felt really good and kept feeling this steady wind from the North. Northwest to be precise.
The wind was actually gusty but steady and then simply stop as if Mother Nature turned the wind switch on and off.
I made a decision to hunt a stand that I have in the thickets back there that where I would have a good approach and enter the stand with the wind in my face.

So off to the shower I went to wash away the smells of the city and slip into my hunting clothes.
It was a cold day so I bundled up pretty good with layers and all the sorted items we traditional bowhunters take with us.
Out the door I went and did'nt walk 5 steps when John came to my mind once again.
What the hell is wrong with me today? I'm all messed up in my head I thought to myself.....

So, I went back in the house and took one of John's arrows out and I took one of his broadheads off and put it in the chest pocket of my safety vest, close to my heart and off I went.
I'm not typically a sentimental type but
this day was different.

Did'nt take long to get in my stand and settle in.
I sat there for a couple hours all the while being kept company by a cute Lil doe.
She would go back and forth into the apple trees and feed.
My stand is situated on the east side of these apple trees with a huge thicket between us.

The day was wonderful, yet different.
That wind would turn on and off along with snow and blow sideways for a few moments at times.
Then simply stop completely.

Anyway, with 5pm approaching, I decided to give the grunt tube a try.
I blew only once and HE grunted back! Yes He.
There was a buck in those thickets!
I was shocked to say the least. I grabbed the bow and stood up and faced the direction of his grunt.
Planting my feet firmly and readying myself,
I grunted once more and HE grunted right back but this time it was louder and closer.

As if on cue, the wind started blowing and the snow came down in a hurry! I was trying very hard to stay focused and out of the the thickets He came out and was facing me.
His ears were back, stiff legged and He was clearly looking for a fight!

I never took my eyes off of him. I could see He was a good buck instantly.
He was facing me and I needed him to turn to expose his vitals and He did.
I had a small window to shoot through and the turkey fletched gold tip arrow flew true.

The buck fell in his tracks as the arrow had severed his spine. A following arrow was loosed with the hope of easing any suffering.

I was never so humbled,grateful,joyous and sad at the same time.
My neighbor and friend Tony was called and he immediately came to help me.

John was with me. I felt his spirit and I know he sent this buck to me.

But, on the contrary.... this buck is for you John!
Rest in peace.

b.glass · November 13, 2013, 03:37:00 PM

It's hard to know what to say. I'll just say, well done.

Marc B. · November 13, 2013, 03:40:00 PM

Great buck and great tribute to John!

vintage-bears · November 13, 2013, 04:25:00 PM

Thanks TG.

John Paul Polyniak 1952 ~ 2013

JMG · November 13, 2013, 05:28:00 PM

Great buck and tribute!! John would be so proud!!

MR BILL SHORTY · November 13, 2013, 05:43:00 PM

GREAT "In the wind, He's still alive" Just great

tracker1 · November 13, 2013, 06:16:00 PM

Good job and a very fine tribute

kbetts · November 13, 2013, 07:02:00 PM

That's pretty cool. A day to remember for sure.

Jerry Russell · November 13, 2013, 07:06:00 PM

Wonderful story.

zepnut · November 13, 2013, 07:07:00 PM

John was with you Philip. Great tribute to one of the finest persons I had the pleasure to know.

vintage-bears · November 14, 2013, 08:25:00 AM

Thanks guys.
This buck was seen several times on trail cameras and never dreamed I would have an encounter with him.
John was definitely with me this day.

Knowing John, he would have first asked if I used one of my vintage bear bows, microflite arrows and a Bear Razorhead.
John was a woodsman, bow, rifle, shotgun hunter and fly fishing genius.
I miss the laughs we had. My being a Brooklyn ginee and he being a born and bred country boy made for some hilarious culture differences but we hit it off from day one.

I used my silvertip with Wensel Woodsmans BUT I had his Bear Razorhead in my pocket!
Thanks for the kind words of John! This hunt / story is not only about the hunt, it's John's spirit that is alive and well that I wanted to share with you all.

......Philip

Tom · November 14, 2013, 08:48:00 AM

Sorry for your loss but as long as we remember those who have gone ahead we never lose them. Great hunt and tribute and John was with you for sure.