Prayers up for your friend Tim.  What struck me about the buck was the almost bifurcated antlers.....2 into 1.  Significant of your friendship?  Surely seems so.

I read this yesterday afternoon and couldn't post I was so choked up. True friendships like depicted here are one of life's rare treasures.

I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend. Although the friend is gone, the friendship remains and you have reaped the benefits of it as evidenced in your hunt and with your reflection of the special bond between you and Fred. That bond is forever. We should all be so fortunate.

Tim, like everyone else, I'm sorry for your loss. What a great buck, and a great story. Thank you very much for sharing. You absolutely have a way of expressing your feelings that tends to cause a few shed tears.

On Christmas Eve I did a search and found your "Shipp Shrew" story from Christmas Day a couple years ago. I re-read the whole thing again and was close to shedding a tear then.

Thanks again, sounds like you and Fred were able to share many fine years together.


Allen

Extraordinary friendship, a powerful day.
One last buck taken with your best friend, and a fitting tribute that magnificent animal was!

My heart goes out to you and Fred's family. I fear not for Fred, he obviously has things well in hand. I believe in signs, it would be churlish to ignore them.

Peace.
Killdeer

Awesome story! Good friends and hunting buddies are very hard to come by, so that's why a fella needs to cherish every moment spent!! Jason

Tim,

I had the pleasure of meeting Fred.  He and I shot a round together at the PA Longbow Association shoot at Marsh Hill a few years back.  I remember he was a good shot and loved his Wapiti recurve!  After that shoot we'd always chat a little bit whenever we ran into eachother at other shoots in PA - STAR, ETAR, and a couple more at Marsh Hill.  

A couple summers ago, I had my little girl with me for her first shoot at STAR.  She was five and we was getting a bit pooped on the course, so we started passing up other groups on the course on our way back to get something to eat.  We came up on Fred's group and talked for a bit and as we started walking away, my daughter said "That guy is BIG!"  He really was a gentle giant.  I didn't know him all that well, but he was one of those permanent fixtures you'd always see at shoots in PA.  He will be missed.

Thank you for this thread.

John

Tim,
      Sorry for your loss I am sure every time you walk into the woods, or drag an animal out you will think of your friend.  This is a wonderful story and thank you for sharing it with us. God bless your family and friends!!!

That last picure says it all!
Nice tribute.
Sorry for the loss.
I wish somday to have a friend that close.

Tim      

Tim I know you very little just a few PM's over the past couple of years. But in one of the PM's we discussed our families and you discussed Fred's illness and told me there was little hope.

We are all busy in life -too busy- but I see you and Fred retired a little every weekened, every chance you got .We all need to do that as we never know!

My eyes are filled with tears , not for me but for your family and Freds family for losing such a great person .

Don't forget the memories for one minute , great story and yes it was errie.

God Bless your extended family

Jack

Your story is moving. Good friends are hard to come by in life and I think he was there for you even after his. Congrats on your buck.  

Sorry about your loss. But a great story

WOW!Awesome tribute!Very cool pics and glad to hear you'll always have someone with you on your hunts...sorry he was taken from his family and friends so soon.My deepest sympathy...

I was very fortunate and Blessed to be able to call Big Fred a friend.He was a very loving family man. He treated everyone the same with heartfelt kindness. This man's heart was much larger than his staure. It has been very hard and emoitional to watch this horrid disease take our friend. It seems that its always the "Good Guys" that must part there ways to soon. It just seems unfair.
I got the call from Tim last Thursday evening explaining his outting, it was very emoitional. I am glad that Tim now knows and found some closure that Big Fred will still be with his "little buddy" on all of his adventures.
I know I will sure miss the Big Man and will have him in my thoughts forever.
Ed Schlimme

A more than fitting tribute to both your friend and his passing.

Some arrows fly all the straighter when in good company.

Blessings to Fred and those whose knew him.

Thank you for sharing.

B

You are very lucky to have at least had a friend like him. Most guys, including myself have never had such a friend. I'm sure he will be missed greatly.
Really nice 6pt. by the way, I'm sure Big Fred would have been proud!  

God Rest His Soul, and God Bless You and Yours at this Trying Time in Life. Consider just how Lucky You Are To Have Such A Fine Friend!! Prayers to his Family as Well.

Great story and I am sure Fred Knows you got that great buck sorry for your loss!!

Dave

Tim,
How blessed you were to have a friend like Fred, I am so sorry for your loss. What's the old saying.. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened". Easy to say and hear, but hard to apply I know. I lost a close frend last year suddenly and think something about him everyday. God speed to you and all brother, will keep prayers for you. And congrats on the buck, that's one that will stay with you.


Lanier

Thanks for sharing Tim.  Grace and Peace to you friend.

Tim what an incredible tribute to your friend! I lost my dad early last year and I often look back at the pictures from our hunting trips together and experience the same type of emotion you so eloquently described in this thread. I am just overwhelmed by this thread. I regret that I never met Big Fred. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.