My "Provider Buck" >>>>--------------> Hero Pics Added!!!!!

[23feetupandhappy]

This story started last year when I began getting convicted about relying on "luck" to bring me success in the woods.......

Most hunters that I know have things that they do or say to bring them luck while out hunting wether it be wearing an artical of clothing, going through a certain routine, keeping a lucky momento with you, to useing a differant arrow out of your quiver to change things up.

I had my lucky "Purple Power" wind pants that I liked to wear (as a layer under my camo of cores)   :D    and then when I would have a couple of dry sites (we call them "Goose Egges") I would pull out my second arrow instead of the first to bring me good fortune.  Now most would say theres no harm in these things and I would agree.... but for me last year I had something pulling on me that was telling me that I was relying on "luck" way to much to provide meat for my family!!  That tugging was comeing from "My Provider"!!!  Im a Christ Fallower and believe that He is and wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives, even when we are out hunting!

I love bowhunting!!!!  I want to be carfull not to say that I live for it but it is my passion      and I love being able to provide good meat for my growing family!!!
Last year was a tough year in when it came to deer sightings for me, often going sit after sit without seeing a deer and i was realy starting to get tested in this "Luck" thing.......
So at the begining of every hunt I would pull out my first arrow and say this simple phrase...

"The Lord is My Provider"

The season ended ok and we had enough meat to get us through the year    


So that brings us to this season.......

[Caleb Andes]

Oh boy here we go!!

[Ragin Bull]

[Thadbow]

[ti-guy]

[Cyclic-Rivers]

[Cookus]

[Richie]

           

[Jason Kendall]

I think what Caleb meant to say was "Here we go" ~~~ again!      

[JAG]

   

[KAZ]

   

[doug77]

Ben, were heading out to Minnesota on Thur. AM for thankgiving, any chance you might have it done by then. HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[23feetupandhappy]

So this year rolls around and Im as excited as ever to get into the woods to test my skills against some Iowa Whitetails.......

Now "Skills" is a big word and although Im no crack shot I can usualy got the job done given those sweet 12 to 17 yard shots...... well this is the part of the story I would love to leave out or better yet not even remember to tell, but its part of My Story and dont feel its fair to suger coat when telling story like this.

I had my worst season ever when it comes to missing, grazing and flat out wounding deer
 

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by doug77:
Ben, were heading out to Minnesota on Thur. AM for thankgiving, any chance you might have it done by then. HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doug oll budy.... I promise  

[23feetupandhappy]

Sat. morning found me driving down to the folkses farm where I met up with Travis aka "KAZ" to spend my last weekend of the year to fill an archery tag.  I did manage to get a little buck on a management hunt in mid October ( another story for another time) but still had my state tage as well as an antlerless tag to fill.
I realy wanted to get an opportunity to try out some improved form issues and to end the season on a positive note    Take your time Travis  

[23feetupandhappy]

Sat. evening came and went with very little movement and so I headed back to the home place with planes to sit the "Killin Tree" Sun. morning before heading to church.

Now the Killin Tree got its name form   :rolleyes:   well lets see.....
Lets just say it has some MoJo    
and its about a five min. walk from the farm house.


These are a couple of pics from the tree from two years ago with a couple of coresponding pics from Sun. morning.
 







I got to my stand and put out some scent bombs in a line running east and west on the fence at the base of my tree then climbed up to enjoy my last morning with a bow in my hand for 2012....
I set this stand back in 1989 when I was 18 and my brothers and I have witnessed some incredable things out of it, one if which are some incredable sunrises.....this morning would be no ecception!!!!!

As I sat there enjoying the sunrise Travis texted me about the new day and that it could happen at any time so stay sharp...
I snaped this pic feeling very light hearted and joyfull at being able to just be out witnessing such a sight and sent it back to him and commented on how there are so many things in this life for us to be thankfull for.....


he text back nowing I had been a bit down in the mouth in general through out the season saying:

"Thats the spirit...Its a new day dawning,10,000 reasons for our hearts to sing!  Bless the Lord oh my soul with all that is within me bless his holy name.  Good Providence my friend!!!! "

We where haveing "Church" right there in the tree stand    

That was 6:46 and at 7:01 I texted back with some more good news!!!!!!!!!!

[23feetupandhappy]

So I was enjoying the sunrise, haveing church with a dear friend and trying to keep an eye out for deer when      :eek:  
down the fence line from the east comes this buck!!!!!
Hes about 150 yards out on the otherside of this narrow picked bean field but theres not a question in my mind that this thing is a shooter every day of the week!!  I think my exact words where "Oh youv got to be kidding me"........
I couldnt believe my eyes!!
He was far enough out that I sneaked a peak through the binos.......  

[23feetupandhappy]

Now hes walking across an open bean field and im in a tree with so so cover in it but for the most part we generaly dont get picked out  

He gets to about 17 to 18 and I said a quick prayer asking for help to have good form, to be able to pick a spot, and to have a  leathal shot.  At 15 yards and starts to get down wind of my first scent bomb and sticks hes head up in the air to get a better wiff and looks right up at me    
and its not just a quick look, its a "I dont like what I see and Im getting nurves look"
Im at the ready with one eye closed and the other just barely open to see what hes going to do and he starts to do the slow exit stage left.

Im ready.... and as he goes broadside i come to full draw makeing sure my back elbow is nice and high, I hit my anchor and the arrow was on its way..................

My arrow is gone and the buck spins and runs back the way he came....Im exploding inside because I think I just zipped one through the goodies!!!  He jumps the fence and turns around for a brief second to look back, and through the Binos I can see blood comeing out of his nose                  

[Over&Under]

That's a great beginning...can't wait to see/hear the rest!

[23feetupandhappy]

At this point I lost it.......
I normaly am pretty jacked up when I shoot something but usualy keep it to a dull rore. With the whole build up of the hunting seasone and with all that was weighing on my mind........I whoopd and holered at the top of my lungs.....and he hadnt even fallen over yet