Waiting on a Whitetail

[bwhnter]

This tale begins the winter of 2014. It had been a couple of hard winters on the ungulates in our area and the elk and white tails were constantly coming in to eat with my livestock. As the winter progressed we began to find the sheds around the yard and feeding area. While feeding i picked up this shed so it would not "deflate" my day. Without a second thought I threw it in the shed bin beside our wood stove https://i.postimg.cc/xqx0svHT/20201126-203514.jpg (https://postimg.cc/xqx0svHT)

[bwhnter]

2015rolled around and all through the year we checked our trail cameras to see what was still around. Nothing caught our eye so we carried on with our elk hunting and didn't spend much time chasing whitetails. When the rut started in November we couldn't help but hope that some good mature bucks would roll in looking for does. We had a small field that we had seeded to late oats in hopes of the green feed bringing in a few more deer. We were successful but the wolves figured it out as well and even though it was only 200 yards from my house they took down a deer almost every night leaving nothing but hair, blood and a green smear in the snow. They would howl in my yard and we would see them in the moon light but never during shooting hours. We boiled some snares and began to take them down. While we were at it we figured we would set some for the coyotes as well. https://i.postimg.cc/zLZKPL63/20141116-171256.jpg (https://postimg.cc/zLZKPL63)

https://i.postimg.cc/fV0YK7H6/20151216-133550.jpg (https://postimg.cc/fV0YK7H6)

https://i.postimg.cc/7C30vHr9/20160117-141044.jpg (https://postimg.cc/7C30vHr9)

[bwhnter]

With our evening snare checks my son started to eyeball a buck that was really dogging the does. Having never shot a whitetail he decided this buck would do he took him with one shot from his mothers 30-06. https://i.postimg.cc/RNf9RjT4/20201126-204705.jpg (https://postimg.cc/RNf9RjT4)

[bwhnter]

The rest of the deer season went by with no other excitement. My son had also drawn a late season any elk draw and we spotted a split main beam bull and on a balmy -35 degree day in January we stalked the bull across our field and one shot later with his 7mm-08 he had a very unique trophy. We started to call him the one shot wonder.https://i.postimg.cc/JDd2XcYG/20201126-210600.jpg (https://postimg.cc/JDd2XcYG)

[HighCountryBC]

Love where this is going! Great thread bwhnter!

[bwhnter]

Roughly 4 days later I was walking into the yard and noticed a shed antler. Once again I picked it up gave it a quick glance and threw it on the shed pile.https://i.postimg.cc/hfwQYJ6T/20201123-183255.jpg (https://postimg.cc/hfwQYJ6T)

[bwhnter]

2016came and same old routine. We had a couple of really old bucks that we were getting on camera but never able to get eyes on them. Just too wise to the game. This buck was on the "last day" hit list and although not a high scoring deer a truly "aged" trophy. (Like a good scotch)https://i.postimg.cc/2qdwmFNP/16064505977407024262360582110351.jpg (https://postimg.cc/2qdwmFNP)

[HarryToolips]

Great thread so far, and nice harvests, especially the preds....

[bwhnter]

As my handle shows I really prefer to bowhunt but my family mainly rifle hunt. With no deer on my September hit list we decided to go for a camping/hunting trip. The first few days of the season were pretty slow in action and ambition. It was quite warm and with the stories and laughter carrying on late into the night we just had a hard time getting up. The main goal was to get the kids "unplugged" for a bit and spend time with there Grandparents.

The morning of Sept 3 it got cold and foggy. I was awoke by my son elbowing me excitedly telling me that he had heard an elk bugle. I confidently assured him that he was dreaming because I had years of training myself to respond to elk bugles and if there had been one my subconscious would have awoke me. I rolled over and told him to go back to sleep. In that moment a bull let a bugle go that sounded like he was standing in our fire pit.
Springing to my feet I threw on my pants and bolted out the wall tent. Now we had pitched our wall tents with the doors facing each other and they were pretty close together. As I was coming out of our tent, my oldest son was coming out of the tent he was sharing with the Grandparents and we ran headlong into each other.

"Did you hear the bull?!!" We both blurted at the same time. I told him to get Grandpa up and tell him to grab his gun. I ducked back in the tent and threw on a pair of Crocks.

Huddling together I informed everyone that my calls and binos were all down in the boat about 40yards away and I figured the bull was " inside the wire". The fog was so think we couldn't see 20 yards. Needing my calls and binos we decided that just Grandpa and I would make our way to the boat and everyone else would stay in camp.

Reaching the boat we gathered the gear we needed and I made a soft quiet cow call to see if we could locate him. He let a bugle go that sounded like he was in my pocket when infact he was just across the river. Getting Dad set up we waited for the fog to hopefully part and it did. He was standing 90 yards away straight on. We needed 6 on one side and just as the fog rolled in he gave a quick turn to show us the back split.

Holding our breath we waited for another break. He bugled again and it sounded like he was moving away. We were just starting to talk about a plan to cross and go after him when the fog rolled out again. What I saw made my jaw drop. The bull had jumped in and was swimming across with just his head and antlers out of the water. He was a lot bigger than I had originally thought. As he went 5 feet behind the back of the boat Dad repositioned aiming on the down stream side. The bull got solid ground under his feet and started to come ashore. I had been coached by the outfitter that I had worked for to never shoot big animals in the water because it takes a lot of the fun out of it. Looking down at my Dad and seeing the excitement on his face I couldn't imagine the fun ever leaving this moment. No matter where the bull died so I told him to take him. Although my Dad was excited he was also thinking and shot him through the lungs. The bull lunged further onto dry land and went down. We couldn't believe what had happened. Neither one of us was wearing a shirt and we had just killed a cranker bull in camp. https://i.postimg.cc/HJWBTYQp/20150904-070701-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/HJWBTYQp)

https://i.postimg.cc/wtWFvCVD/20150906-180229.jpg (https://postimg.cc/wtWFvCVD)

[bwhnter]

I know this has turned into more than a white tail story but I am in the writing mood. Although my phone is dying. I will carry on tomorrow morning. Good night all.

[twoSevenO]

Nice!!! Making HBC great again :D

Solid! Great work on all those animals. The wolf looked particularly impressive in size.

Where do you live that you have wolves in the back yard?

[bwhnter]

November 2015 rolls around and still no high scoring, mature whitetails on camera. We have a few up and comers showing up but nothing that gets us into full commit mode.

I did find a couple of great mule deer on a different piece of property that I have permission to hunt so I asked my oldest if he would like to try for the older buck. He has yet to pull the trigger on any big game at this point and he was game to try.

It took some time but we managed to spot him one afternoon with some does on the edge of the field. Parking the truck we stalked up on him. With the gun on the shooting sticks and the buck at 150 yards I told him that if he felt comfortable to take the shot. Buck fever was hitting him pretty hard and he could not get steady. The does got nervous and began to move off and pulled the buck around a roll in the field. My son was disappointed with himself. No problem I said if you aren't comfortable don't force it.

Working around the roll we saw the deer drop into a draw. We quickly moved to the edge of the ravine to see if we could see the buck and there he was, 200 yards down close to the bottom. Grabbing a tree for a rest my son drops him in his tracks. I was stunned, a 150 yard standing shot in the field where retrieval would have been easy and he couldn't get comfortable, but a very steep down hill shot through the trees and he shoots like a pro. Two hours and 5 guys later we had the buck at the truck.

Now this mule deer fooled me. I new he was a good,old deer but his body made his antlers look smaller. He was a stud of a buck, especially for his first big game animal.

[bwhnter]

https://i.postimg.cc/3WfNnvrm/IMG-2836.jpg (https://postimg.cc/3WfNnvrm)

[bwhnter]

With no more excitement that November shed hunting commenced in late December with some off the bucks holding onto their antlers until February. We managed to find some of the antlers including this buck that showed some potential https://i.postimg.cc/6TbVnqD1/20201126-212311.jpg (https://postimg.cc/6TbVnqD1)

[bwhnter]

Region 7B.

[bwhnter]

2016 rolls around. We are starting to see our efforts on predator control are helping the whitetail again and we have more fawns making it through their first winter. We are also starting to see a wide range of age class in our bucks again. There are some bucks showing some real potential. Through the summer and on to the fall cameras are checked and bucks are spotted during haying. October comes and there is a mature buck that is obviously the cock of the walk. He is a 5-6 year old deer and has reached his full potential. Not a high scoring deer but I decide he will make great table fair if I am given the opportunity. There is also a nice 5x5 showing up. His right side is a bit smaller but he is showing some potential. Word is passed around and we all agree to give him time to grow. The deer days of November get crossed off the calender with no luck on the old buck. November 28 I am standing in my living room looking out into the field and low and behold who's walking across my field. The old guy. Lunch forgotten, I look at my bow but grab my rifle. This is going to be some fast action. Using my house for cover I drop into the trees and head towards the cow pasture to cut him off. It was one of those really bright sunny days and the glare off of the snow was almost blinding. In my haste I forgot how cold it was and my bare hands were starting to stiffen around the stock of the rifle. As I came out of the trees into the pasture the cattle noticed me and came looking for grain. Perfect I now have moving cover. I slowly walk to the trail I think he is on and get set up. My "perfect" moving cover is now becoming an issue. I am surrounded. I have to move the cows away. Making my rifle safe I hang it in a tree and push the cows back. They get that I have nothing for them and head back to the feed. As I turn to grab my rifle the buck is standing, staring at me 50 yards away. Acting as nonchalant as I could I gather my rifle, slide in my clip and chamber a round. The old boy is in full rut mode. He only has one thing on his mind and drops his nose back to the hot doe trail he was following and begins to move off. Giving a grunt I shoulder my rifle as he stops and snaps his head around. The impact of the bullet drops him in his tracks and his days of chasing does are done. Walking over I lift his antlers from the snow and run my hands over the his antlers with busted points and heavy bases. Funny, the cold had momentarily disappeared from my hands. My son heard the shot and came with the sled to lend a hand. Together we admire the buck and set to the task of taking care of him properly. https://i.postimg.cc/CzsYLcmj/20161128-114130.jpg (https://postimg.cc/CzsYLcmj)

[bwhnter]

The winter passes with plenty of trapping and winter activities and we get a late start on our shed hunting but we managed to turn up the 5x5. https://i.postimg.cc/cg02jWG2/20201126-212332.jpg (https://postimg.cc/cg02jWG2)

[bwhnter]

2018 is busy not much scouting is done. We have cameras out but it just seems like there is no time. We manage to get pics of a 6x6 whitetail on camera and we are excited. Looking at the pics we decide he is a non shooter as well. It doesn't even really occur to me that he is the 5x5 from the previous year. The season passes with not much harvested. The snow piles up and the deer move in with our cattle. Shed hunting was easy as most bucks lost there antlers in the yard and we picked up both sides of the 6x6https://i.postimg.cc/Z9SJT1hF/20201126-212353.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Z9SJT1hF)

[bwhnter]

Sorry guys. My wife pointed out this all started in 2014 not 2013.

[bwhnter]

2019. Once again life was busy. We had more cattle and were doing more hay. The weather was terrible and haying season went on forever. Between break downs and rain it just didn't feel like we would get a break. Elk season went by and deer season was on us. No cameras out no info, the only ray of sunshine was a mule deer that I had been watching for the past few years.

I didn't have time to pursue him during bow season and to be honest I wanted to leave him one more year. The rut rolled around and his patterns changed. He began to wonder. He had been safely living on private land where he wasn't visible to everyone but that changed.

He was now in a field that was visible from the highway. Word got out and although no permission was given a few gentlemen figured he was worth the risk of trespassing. Fortunately they were thwarted in their efforts but the land owner and I talked and decided that if I wanted that buck I had better take him before someone else did. I gathered my gear and set out to cut my tag. It had been over 10 years since I cut a mule deer tag.

The buck was spotted in some willows at the end of the field. Shouldering my pack I stayed on the ridge above and circled into range. I was above him and could see him at 220 yards but the willows were just too thick to thread the needle. Over the years I have learned to be patient so I dropped my pack, put on my warm gear and settled in.

An hour goes by and all of a sudden he his on his feet and moving. He goes straight across the field without giving me a shot opportunity and it looks like he is on a mission.
Thinking I know where he is going I start stripping off clothing. This has just turned into a race.

Once again shouldering my pack, I drop out of sight and starting running. He is trotting and now and has a lead.
I start pouring on the coal and the sweat starts to roll. The 6-8 inches of snow is really making me work. I have almost 1 mile to cover before he covers about a 11/2.

I reach the first fence crossing and bail over it. Peaking over the ridge I see that I am going to have to step it up another notch to get this done. Dropping my pack it becomes an all out sprint to reach the treeline before he gets through the hedge row. I dive under the fence and into the trees just as he jumps the ditch parallel to me at 400 yards. Too far for me.

In the trees I still need to cover 200 yards as fast and as quiet as I can in order to cut him off. Thankfully the heavy snow in the trees and the fog in his rut crazed brain help me. Out of breath with sweat pouring in my eyes I reach the fence post I need. Quick range, 180. Wipe my eyes and its time. My heart rate is so high from the run that I am having a hard time staying steady. Finally the cross hairs steady and the trigger breaks .

He goes down. I hit him high. Climbing through the fence again I quickly close in and end it.

He is magnificent. Dark heavy antlers, grey nose and that musky mule deer smell. I sit and take it all in.

https://i.postimg.cc/YG9Cs3sw/20191117-183324.jpg (https://postimg.cc/YG9Cs3sw)
https://i.postimg.cc/LYbLChvN/20191117-183343.jpg (https://postimg.cc/LYbLChvN)

[bwhnter]

After the mule deer my Dad expressed that he would like a whitetail for sausage so he came out for an evening tour. I told him he could take any buck except the 6x6.

You guessed it. The only buck we saw that night was the 6x6. He wouldn't leave. He just kept showing up and tempting us but I stayed strong. As much as I wanted to get my Dad a deer, he understood why I was reluctant to let him shoot this buck. He told me even if I said he could shoot he wasn't going to. We just sat back and learned a bit more about whitetail behavior.

The shed hunting last year was tough. There was a lot of crops left in the fields and the deer were spread out. With persistence and a lot of leg work we were able to find both side once again.

https://i.postimg.cc/sMPS3c9h/20201126-212404.jpg (https://postimg.cc/sMPS3c9h)

[RICKADY]

Awesome stories and pic's bwhnter, looks like your having fun.
Congrats

[bwhnter]

2020. The hardest year.

COVID!!

Uncertain times hit. Friends and family lose jobs. Struggle to make ends meet and life just seems hard.

Spring rolls through talk of camping trips and summer plans lift our spirits. We have a big fencing job and the weather is making it tough. Have a skid steer to pound the post but it gets stuck so we bring in a dozer to pull it out. Then the dozer gets stuck so in comes a track hoe to pull out the dozer. Rinse and repeat.

Mothers day. My Dad starts feeling ill. Weeks later diagnosed with stomach cancer. Surgery. Chemo. Weeks of uncertainty. Nothing can be done.

I watch the man who taught me to hunt, to trap, to be an outdoorsman, hell to be a man, slowly wither away. My hero was dying in front of my eyes and there was nothing I could do. When he was in the hospital and only a few of us were allowed into see him, I wanted to scoop him up and run for the hills. I wanted to see that smile when he got his elk. I wanted to hear him tell his stories and hear his laughter. I wanted to see him teach my kids outdoor skills again. It was not to be.

He passed away on October 18th.
Even in his last days he was teaching us. He never complained. Not once. When we were moving him he would just grit his teeth and not make a sound. He made sure to thank the Dr.s and nurses for everything and reassure them that he knew they were doing everything they could. He passed at home with all of us around him.


My drive to hunt is not there. I shouldn't say that. My drive to kill is not there. I find myself, through this whole ordeal, just grabbing my bow and going elk hunting just to think. I call in bulls and have chances to fill my tag but don't. I find myself just sitting and watching and remembering.

My nephew passes his core and really wants an elk. The original plan was to get a blind built so Grandpa could sit and be there. Oh the plans of mice and men. It was not to be.

Although I don't feel ready to go we make plans for the oct 22 to go elk hunting. In my heart I knew my Dad would want it so I gather my gear and we take off early. We get into them early and have a great evening with no shots fired. We go for a walk the mornig of the 23 with the same results. A great time but no trigger pull.

With the rut pretty much over we decide on a sit and wait plan. Grandma feels like she would like to come. We pick a spot and hunker down behind an old bale. The bulls are bugling in the trees and the cows start to filter out. A cow is legal but he would like a bull so we wait. A spike joins the cows but he spots something he doesn't like and goes on alert. Down the field we see a 5 point feed between a couple of rolls and out if sight. Too far.

The spike starts coming over to check us out. He smells us and barks. CRAP. Every elk bails. They go crashing through the trees sounding like elephants.

"Let's go!" I yell and we take off at a jog towards the 5 point hoping he is unaware of what is happening. Rounding an island of trees we are stopped by a bull standing in the field still. Right where everything had spooked from. Dropping to our knees i do a quick bino check. Definitely legal. Gun on the sticks. Its go time. 120 yards take your time but hurry up he shouldn't still be there. Crack of the rifle and the bull drops in its tracks.

I am at a loss. I mature bull like that should have left when the stampede happened. But he didn't. I look at my brother and my nephew with a lump in my throat.

"The only way that bull stayed around that long is if someone was holding him there" I say. As I walked back to get the truck the tears streamed down my face. Although Dad was gone he was still with us because when I looked in my nephews eyes I saw that same smile my Dad had when he shot his elk and I knew he was going to be in all of our adventures.

https://i.postimg.cc/2q2jCHc3/20201023-182449.jpg (https://postimg.cc/2q2jCHc3)

[bwhnter]

Deer season.

Wounds have started to heal and tears don't come quite as often.

Cameras are set and with one picture a spark is struck and memories are kindled.


https://i.postimg.cc/k26C8JgN/11080711-resized.jpg (https://postimg.cc/k26C8JgN)

[weatherby_man]

Wow,,,,what a story bwhntr,,,I'm really very sorry for your loss, it sounds like your father taught you well. Sounds like you have a great family.

[bwhnter]

He is back. The 6x6 is now a 5x6. He has grown a bit but not lots. It is time.

Blinds are placed. More cameras added. Let the obsessing commenced.

It is bitterly cold. -27. I am trying with my bow but the cold crisp air makes the rustling of my fleece clothing carry the 30 yards to the deer. Whipping my nose alerts everything not sure how I am going to pick up my bow let alone draw it.

The does fight amongst themselves and the fawns run around and appear to play tag. The vocalizations and behaviors have me intrigued. Time passes quickly.

Small bucks filter in and out and some 3-4 year old bucks come through. A couple peak my interest for the future. Every other night the elk come in and knock down cameras, eat all the grain and mess with my blind. They just can't leave anything alone. They drug my shirt out from under the blind and urinated on it. Freaking elk.

Days go by and work and chores start to back up. My wife has been patient but it is getting thin. The wind starts blowing from the south. That doesn't work for my set up. Sleepless nights and constant checking of the weather. No end in sight to the south wind.

Dawning my salesmans hat I convince my wife I would get back to work faster if I just had another blind in the right spot. No, I can't just move the other one. What if the wind switches back?

New blind placed and brushed in excited for the morning sit. Awake early walk outside. What the hell. An East wind. I am totally screwed now. Mope around all day working in the shop and feeding cows. Feeling the pressure to just "get it done."

3:00 I decide to just park my truck in the field and watch the area. I have my rifle but mainly for wolves. The deer start to move and my mood brightens. Just watching them makes me feel better.

4:30 OK, time to head towards home and see what is in the other fields. Round the corner and see a doe and fawn. Neat.
Go around the island of trees and BUCK. BIG buck. He looks my way as I scramble for my binos. The harness is all wrapped up in gun, seat belt and clothing. Binos up but he is gone.
In reverse back to the doe and fawn. They are still there. Antlers coming over the rise. Its him. The 5x6. Dilemma time. I really want to get him with my bow but running out of time. Do I take the chance and let him walk? He approaches the doe and she bolts. CRAP. I think I know where they are going so off I go. I round the corner shut my truck off, get out and listen. Nothing.

I give a snort wheeze and wait. Nothing. Looking at my watch it is 5:10. Only 20 minutes of shooting time left. I look up and like a ghost he is just there.

In my haste and uncertainty I left my gun in the truck. Slowly I back to the truck and grab my rifle. Rummage for the clip in my pocket and as I approach the trees chamber a round. 120 yards broadside. Take my time and squeeze. Big jump and a mule kick. Good hit. He bolts for the trees. I hear a crash and know it is done.

Approaching him I am thrilled with the result but saddened at the finality of it as well. This buck had roamed my farm for 7 years and every year I looked forward to seeing that first picture of him. I am a hunter though and he will feed my family not only with his meat but with the memories and stories that he was part of. Those things will feed our smiles and our souls.

Here is the white tail worth waiting for.

https://i.postimg.cc/CBn0QKs7/20201123-180420.jpg (https://postimg.cc/CBn0QKs7)

[bwhnter]

https://i.postimg.cc/7GxnZCfP/20201126-130221.jpg (https://postimg.cc/7GxnZCfP)

[Husky7mm]

Wow bwhtr, I think I enjoyed tgis thread better than anyone I have ever read and I have been around for a good while. I have a tear in my eye for you, but I loved the stories. I hope it ends the way I hope it will. I really like seeing the fruits of your labours. People complain about the lack of animals and only hunt a handful of days in the fall. If we don’t like something, WE can change that most of the time! I love it.

[Husky7mm]

I wrote that while your were posting the final part of your story. Lol

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You deserve that buck.

https://youtu.be/T_uGcW-v5EI

[tyreguy]

Thank you for your time and efforts in sharing this with us all

[pg83]

An all-around amazing thread. Thank you.

This October marked 10 years since my Dad passed under very similar circumstances. I pulled an LEH moose tag that September and was going to burn it because of my Dad's condition but he forced me to go on the hunt so I could share one last hunting story with him. I reluctantly went, it was my first moose hunt without him. Early in the hunt I connected on a bull, not 50 yards from where my Dad shot his biggest bull years before, with me by his side. I made it back home and shared the tale with him as tears streamed down both of our faces. He passed within the week.

10 years on and I still think about him during every trip, and I make sure to retell our adventures to my sons at every opportunity.

To top things off you go any share some absolutely wicked hunting tales.


Tip of the hat to you sir.

[weatherby_man]

Wow, amazing WT!

[Knute]

Top notch thread.

Being able to share hunts with family is the best.
Dad was there for you, your brother and nephew that day. Without a doubt.

[backstrap]

That was an awesome read from start to finish!
I really Like the photo of all the sheds accompanied buy the euro.
That buck will be remembered forever which is what he deserves.
I also really liked the part where the old fella held onto that bull for you guys.
My grandfather has done that for me too.
Thanks for that and again great read.

[bwhnter]

Thanks for the kind words. I really struggled with posting this on here. I have found so many people can't just enjoy the shared story. They have to try and use other people's stories to do there scouting. After sharing years ago the private massages and even phone calls I got turned me away from posting anymore. So I will say this. I am successful because I am ALWAYS hunting. I follow the regulations to a T but I am always watching for wildlife. I am fortunate to live in an area that has a decent amount of wildlife but they are hunted hard. I don't shoot the first legal animal i come across simply because I enjoy the hunt. I enjoy every second of being out there. I learn something new EVERY time I go out. This year I learned that cow elk can bugle. Blew me away.

So please, read the stories be inspired to try something new and don't go digging for places to hunt. When you achieve something by putting in the time and hard work it is so much sweeter.

[twoSevenO]

Amazing! I dont think I've ever seen a story of such history with one buck and that many sets of sheds off of one. Well done!!!

People are always going to pry for info ... especially when one owns a farm with good deer and elk numbers on it. Easy enough to ignore those types of messages though :)

Grest story and pics. Very inspirational. I'd be lying if I said I wasnt jealous of where you live. -30 weather be damned It would be quite something to hunt that country up north!

Thanks for sharing!!

[bwhnter]

Husky great tribute to your father.

[835]

wow, what a significant story. This was very well done. I am sorry about your father, but he defiantly put something in you more that just a love to hunt.

[Drillbit]

Great write-up!! Thanks for taking the time to share your story!

[kodeman]

What an awesome write up....thank you so much

[IronNoggin]

Beyond Excellent!
You have a marvelous writing skill Sir!
And I truly enjoyed this tale.
One for the books.

Condolences on your Father.
I lost Mom just a very short time ago, and like yourself back then, have yet to let an arrow fly or a trigger squeezed since.
Missing that now.
Your tale has given me the inspiration I needed.
Late archery whitetails within the week it is.

Many THANKS for the share.
Truly Appreciated! https://www.tnof.ca/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/Pozitive.gif

Cheers,
Matt

[bwhnter]

Had to delete. Way to deep.

[835]

lol.... ya watch out for that we are kinda "Surface people"

[Husky7mm]

Husky great tribute to your father.

Not my tribute but a nice song by The Zac Brown band that I think many can relate too, yourself include. My father is not a hunter, but I myself am a religious hunter and have been dragging my kids along with me since they could walk so your story speaks to me, and I know if we raise them right they will get that song too.

[jimzuk]

Great story congrats on some fine animals. I lost my dad a year ago and think of him every time I go hunting

[Ride Red]

Wow, those were a few crazy seasons bwhnter, congrats. My brother-in-law lives out of Rolla and he sees tons of game too.

Condolences to you and family. Your father will always be with you on your adventures and the memories will never leave you. My dad comes to memory more times than I can tell you. Life carries on and memories is all we have, but we get to relive them on every turn.

[nature girl]

Great story and hunts with your family. And to be able to hunt with family that is something so very special especially to have a passion that you and your dad had. Those hunts I am sure you will never never forget.

[DannyO]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story!

[Sitkaspruce]

Thanks for sharing your story! This is what HBC used to be all about!

Hopefully you inspire others like me to start again!

Sorry for your loss, it does get a little easier with time and there will be ups and downs, but he will always be there and the memories will never fade. Ever time I kill an animal, I look up and give my dad a big smile and thanks! He is there in my heart and mind.

It has been a weird year for whitetails, lots of deer around, but they are so nocturnal this year. Congrats on the great buck! A true trophy no matter the score!

Thanks again for sharing!

Cheers

SS

[bwhnter]

Thank you everyone for the condolences and the kind words.

I have a few more stories in mind. I enjoyed sharing and the stories other people have shared on here were the reason I joined.

I am pleased that the stories have helped inspire some to get back out there.

[kennyj]

Great story and animals.
Thanks for sharing!
kenny

[HarryToolips]

Incredible harvests, and congrats on finally getting it done with that 7 year old WT...and condolences to you and your family regarding your dad passing away...

[Jack Russell]

Wow, speechless. One of the best write-ups ever on HBC. Really struck all the right notes.

[kelowna.jordan]

Thank you very much for sharing. What an amazing story. One that won't be forgotten.

[James52]

Really enjoyed reading your posts. Nice work.

[todbartell]

great post, thanks for taking the time to share it all with us at HBC

[Brno22F]

Every so often, there is a true gem of a story posted here on HBC. This is one of the best I have had the good fortune to read.
Thank you bwhntr.
My sincere condolences about your father.

[horseman2]

This is a great story with drama, suspense, tragedy and success.
The start has a time line from day one, then chapter by chapter, into the next day.
"Wife" becomes involved on day one and towards the end of the story (I assume) the author had to go feed the cows.
Thank you for a great read.

[Norwestalta]

Congrats on the great story and the patience to watch him grow. Condolences from my family to yours. I know it's not easy to get back in the saddle. It's two years last October since we had to say goodbye to my dad. Take care and thanks again.

[Bear Chaser]

Thanks for posting up a great bunch of memories.
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your Dad. I would have preferred to say it in person as he was truly a respected member of the community. Hopefully we will be able to get together for a visit in the new year.

[4 point]

Realy great life you have made for you and your family. Condolences on the passing of your father.

[Salty]

Wow. Just frickn wow there's so much going on in this thread it could be made in to a movie. Thanks so much bwhnter for taking the time to tell it all and for all the quality pics to go with. My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your dad but I can see a big part of him is still here in you, your family and your place. Literally and figuratively. There's been some dandy reads here through the years but I can't think of anything any better than this one. Kudos bro. I wish nothing but the very best to you and your crew, take care.

[bwhnter]

Thanks again to all for the condolences.

[Salty]

https://i.postimg.cc/R0K8Qqhn/20150904-070701-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/LXNshYqc/20201123-180420.jpg

[Hombre]

Outstanding writing . Thank you for sharing not only the hunts but what all of us eventually go through and feel.
Lost a good friend under similar circumstance and my father passed while hunting.
My condolences to you and your family.

[bwhnter]

Lol. You can tell who the person least interested in hunting is in the elk pic.
One of her favorite things about camping was getting to sleep in. It didn't happen that morning.

[one-shot-wonder]

Congrats on all the critters over the years. Thanks for sharing!

[Imdone]

What a great share with HBC .

Very well done on all aspects.

Memories with family never to be forgotten.