taking loved ones hunting who are no longer with us

[shady oaks]

wanted to here what some of you do to embrace the memories of loved ones who are no longer here.

my granddad past away 1 1/2 yrs ago (may of 05)after several different complications from a surgery 3 years back. last year wasn't bad, but this year has been the "toughest" so far. he took me under his wing to take the financial burden off my parents and bought me everything i ever needed for hunting. many, many lessons in life and hunting were from him. my first year hunting he passed down to me a knife he'd been using for years on end. from that day on, i never went into the woods without it. and just before he passed away, i bought him a B-14 flying fortress t shirt and the air museum that never left his side. my grandmother gave it to me after his death and i never wore it or let anyone think about wearing it. this year i decided i could wear it and take him into the woods with me. and one last thing i always do is once i'm settled in and ready to go, i have a word or two with him asking for a good, safe day of hunting ahead of me. never once has it not happened.

[benster]

This will be our (my fiance and I) third season we have owned our deer camp. After a year of dateing and hunting apart she said that we better have a place of our own where we could hunt together. So we found a place in cheboygan in july of 2004. That season it was just her and I for the first week of gun. The night before opening day as she was getting everything ready she pulled out her real fathers dog tag, her grandfathers ashes (in a small case her grandmother had given her) and the gun that her stepfather had custom made for her. The second evening she got a beautiful eight point. She has taken deer before but this was her first buck. Now on every opening day you will find her fathers dog tag, her grandpas ashes and the gun her stepfather built for her in her blind. I never got to meet any of these men, but I know they are always at camp when we are.

[Ansel]

wanted to here what some of you do to embrace the memories of loved ones who are no longer here.

my granddad past away 1 1/2 yrs ago (may of 05)after several different complications from a surgery 3 years back. last year wasn't bad, but this year has been the "toughest" so far. he took me under his wing to take the financial burden off my parents and bought me everything i ever needed for hunting. many, many lessons in life and hunting were from him. my first year hunting he passed down to me a knife he'd been using for years on end. from that day on, i never went into the woods without it. and just before he passed away, i bought him a B-14 flying fortress t shirt and the air museum that never left his side. my grandmother gave it to me after his death and i never wore it or let anyone think about wearing it. this year i decided i could wear it and take him into the woods with me. and one last thing i always do is once i'm settled in and ready to go, i have a word or two with him asking for a good, safe day of hunting ahead of me. never once has it not happened.

Very Nice Post. I too "bring" or "visit" with many family members and friends who used to share hunts with me. It's a reunion of sorts that I look forward to. I can relate to your post 100%.

[mikieday]

i do not have any phyical things to take afield with me but i do have some awesome memories of my uncle walley. my grandfather. and my friend butch...
we still do alot of hunting together.....:)

[bluedevil]

Great post.:)

My grandfather past away this past Oct 2nd and I inherited some of his guns, one of which was his deer riffle, a .280 Ruger that I now use this year. I too say a few words to him in the woods.

[rungunner]

Although I learned how to hunt and enjoy the outdoors by myself (My Dad did not hunt) I often think what it would be like to go hunting with my father who passed away when I was very young. Since then I have lost my mother and recently 2 brothers and all of them are with me when I go hunting. I sit in my tree and think of them often. Sitting out there gives me time to reflect on everything. This is best time of the year. I might just start a new hunting tradition mentioned in the above posts and take something with me that came from my family members maybe pictures or something like that. Great Post

[POLARBEAR]

i took this pic with me and i hunted with the 35 marlin that he gave me on my 13th or 14th birthday.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/521/medium/3506grandpadeer.jpg

this pic is the only one i have of my grandpa with a deer. that was the only hunting trip i was ever able to spend with my grandpa and he was the only one in camp to take a deer.

[Whit1]

After every Opening Day of both deer (firearms) season and trout season (the Last Saturday in April) I give two reports, one to my father who passed in '96 and another to my best friend Bob who left us in '99.

[tangleknot]

Great post Shady Oaks. Very heart warming and touching posts, all.

Darrin, that is a great picture of your grandpa. He looks like he was quite the character.:) I must admit, I think you take after the other side of the family.;)

[GrtWhtHntr]

My brother, who was my hunting partner, died 3 years ago. One of the few belongings I got from his wife was his hunting coat. I've worn it all three gun openers since then and have shot 5 deer now in the 3 hunts I've worn it. And this is on state land, so it's almost hard to think there's not "powers that be" on my side! It's definitely a hard time of year for me, and I'm sure for all of you who have lost hunting partners.

[ROSCORack]

A very enjoyable post...THANKS TO ALL!

A year ago, as I glanced through pictures related to hunting and the outdoors, I noticed that in many photos I was wearing a sweat shirt that my mother gave to me as a gift(like 1992). It was a second kind of humorous sweat shirt gift that read------DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY-----. When I recieved it, the song was very popular and I did not wear it much because I was not into that type of music (only rock and heavy metal---Zepplin,AC/DC,Ozzy,Judist...ect).OK a little Hank Jr.:)

So, because it was a gift from mom I felt I had to work it into my wardrobe and started to wear it for hunting seasons. It was mainly black and was warm and good fitting. Now mother has passed and it is part of my hunting attire. Not only are there photos of me wearing this when she was alive but many since she has passed. I some times hope its my good luck charm, but in my reality its a pleasant reminder of how wonderful of a mother and person she was. God I miss her, she passed in Dec. of 2004 at 62 years old to cancer. This time of the year really starts to give me a wake up call!!

Please don't forget to tell your family and friends how much they mean to you during the busy... got to go.. hunting season!

Oh.. got to go..and wash my sweat shirt..going hunting in the morning!
Have a great THANKSGIVING! MAN, I miss her cooking too:rolleyes:

[rhinopox]

I start every season since 1989 the same way. I break out my fathers beat up old 30-30 just for the sentimental value and the memorys it holds. Last night my father showed me he was still with me when a nice six point wandered out in front of me. I have other rifles to use but it just wouldn't be the same.

[PrtyMolusk]

Howdy-

I've got a very close friend in Toronto who is suffering from terminal cancer. I've already made arrangements to obtain his ashes upon his passing. He'll not only be going to deer camp with me in perpetuity, but he'll be with us every day and on holidays, birthdays, and the like.

He'll also be able to return to his favorite Detroit spot - Lafayette Coney Island! :D

[stump sitter]

In April of this year i lost 2 of my hunting partners,my Father who taught so many of us to hunt and fish and my wife a city girl who took to hunting right after we were married like a duck to water.
It has been a terribly hard season to get motivated for but I know the woods is where they would expect and want me to be.
I have not taken any thing personal of theirs as of yet,but as i sit on stand my mind is filled with memories of 30+ years of deer seasons and I can see the smiles and hear the laufter

[deepwoods]

My absolute favorite time of the hunt is before dawn on November 15th! I say a prayer for my family members who have since gone and who got me started down the road I'm on now. I can feel them with me more than any other time. I then apologize to my Uncle John for sitting in his blind.;)

[MarshEO1973]

This is why i am a member on this site! Put aside all of the bickering and name calling and really get to the heart of why we hunt. This is an amazing post and i tear up reading the heart felt words you are all expressing. I have not lost a hunting buddy or close family member thank the lord, but I can't imagine what you all go through dealing with this. Be safe, tell the ones you love that you do, and hug those kids and keep them close.

God bless all and happy trails to all who have passed before us.;)

Jeff

[Whit1]

Right now this is the very best thread going on here in MS, hands down.

Thanks everyone for posting your comments. The ways we all remember those who have gone are varied and very moving.

WOW! What a great thread! :)

[Ranger Ray]

This is the first year that I will be hunting without sharing it with my dad as he passed away in July. This weekend will be the first I have had a chance to get out. I will be using his 300 savage that he gave to me 3 years ago. Not a day goes by I don't think of the good times and memories of my father.

[SMITTY1233]

Every November 15th in the predawn darkness I bow my head and say a prayer, I thank the Lord for those people he has brought into my life, and for the lessons they have taught me about becoming and mature outdoorsmen. I ask that He care for my grandfather who has passed on, and I ask that he keep watch over the Grandfather who still hunts with me this day. I ask that he be with each and everyone of our hunting party and that he help us keep in perspective what hunting truley is about. I thank him for the beauty of the outdoors, the feelings and emotions I enjoy by harvesting one of his creation. I end the prayer with Lord let my aim be true and never let me forget the responsibility that comes with persuing and harvesting a wild animal......

[bknoll]

I lost my dad to cancer in 1996. Like the original post, I have a knife that was my dads and I take it with me on each hunt. I give it a kiss and say "hi dad" before I put it in my pocket. To me, it's like going hunting with him.

[Gunslingergirl]

As others have said, this is a great thread. I take such comfort in knowing that, even if our loved ones are not physically here, they are with us in our thoughts and our hearts. Doesn't make us miss them any less, but it does mean that no one is ever totally gone.

[FREEPOP]

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/521/medium/100_0546_Small_.jpg

Jake is wearing my dad's hat. I call it the lucky hat. I miss him terribly even though it's been 10 years. I wear that hat or have it with me whenever I'm in the woods and you'll see it in most of my harvest pics.

I love you Dad :sad:

[Weekender#1]

There is a point called Blackies point, on his last year I had to carry him the last 150 yards to the stand. He never got a deer, ever, not much of a hunter due to leg problems from a auto accident early in his youth. But his nick name was blackie and on opening day he would always be on point good brother in law to have had.
Plus while up north I stopped at a garage sale 10 years ago, a lady was selling off her dead husbands fishing and hunting stuff. Hunting clothes you name it she was getting rid of it. He was the same size as me and I bought a down vest. I take it on all trips fishing and hunting, as a good luck charm. I am often asked if I brought "dead mans vest" and I acknowledge yes it is on board. I treat it with dignitity.
Once I read that a guy was cremated and had cases of hollow point bullets, the bullets hollow point were filled with the ashes. He supplied guns to all before his death, all the same caliber, so he will go on hunting trips for eternity

[2PawsRiver]

I am the only one that hunts in my family. I was fortunate enough to run into an old man in Meijers Store. It started with a turkey season, then fishing, then deer season.

In between seasons we got things ready, scouted and did general BS stuff.

He started out as a Hunting and Fishing Partner and evolved into the closest thing I had to a father.

He passed July 23rd. It has really tested my faith, but I believe in my heart that he still hunts with me.

I fell out of a tree stand this year and walked away without a bruise. I know he was chuckling, but caught me at the last second.

I shot the biggest buck of my life last night. I know he was there and patted me on the back, congratulating me on a good hunt.

I honor his memory by remembering the things he taught me. I thank him for his time by doing all I can to help his wife deal with her loss, they had just celebrated 50 years of marriage.

I remember him in my hunts and talk to him regularly. I hunt with the Muzzle Loader he set me up with and always will. Though I miss him everyday, I am always greatful to have had the chance to know him. I am by no means perfect, but am a better man for having known him.

I hope that everyone finds solace in the belief that you can still touch those you love who have passed, not with our hands, but with our very souls.:)

[swampthang]

Both my Grandparents on my Father's side passed away some time ago now. The thing I remember most about them was "going up north" and my Grandfather's love of deer hunting.

A few years ago now, my Father gave me my Grandfathers old 30-30. There's no telling how many deer he took with it. I've been taking it out with me every season since though it's not the only rifle I hunt with.

A week before the firearms opener this year my wife's Grandfather passed away. We saw him the day before he passed and he asked me if was was going hunting this year (no one in my wife's family hunts) and he told me to get myself a big one.

Though I didn't bring home venison, I felt as though they were there with me.

[tadmdad]

I was very fortunate to be raised by my grandparents, my grandfather
(dad to me) was a WWII veteran, D-day, Omaha beach, 6:56 am, this
man seen hell on earth. He taught me many values that I live by today,
and try to teach my children. He is still alive, but has lost his eyesight,
and no longer hunts, I spoke to him last night. Every year he calls from
Fla.(retired snowbirds) and wants to know how the kids and I did hunting.
He listens to our stories and chuckles, and always adds words of advice
and encouragement. I knows he misses being with us.
My favorite hunting story with my dad was when I was 17, we had hunted
this buck for 4-5 days, saw him a couple of times, but the buck never
presented a shot. On the 5th night we got a fresh snow, before we went
to bed that night, dad said to me, "with this fresh snow maybe we will
get that buck tommorrow", I had a hard time sleeping that night. The next
morning found us in the swamp where that buck was bedding, at about
9 a.m. we spotted that buck moving through the swamp, as I raised
my rifle to shoot, my dad leaned over and whispered to me, " so you beat
that buck, do you really need to shoot him".
At that age I didn't understand the meaning of that statement, but I have
to say that now I value that more than anything. And I would give up
every deer I ever harvested to have just 1 more day to hunt with dad.
And I believe that our sport of hunting can bring out the very best in
all of us, and we shouldn't let our differences in opinion change that. :)

[Whit1]

This one needs to be made a "Sticky".

[eddiejohn4]

My dad is with me everytime I go into the woods.:)

[north_of_mackinaw]

I lost my dad last year (Aug 05) and he forgot more about deer hunting than I wil probably ever know. He could look at an area and tell you where the deer would likely move through it, where the best place to watch would be or if you'd just be wasting your time. Last year my daughter who was 16 hunted for her first time and we sat together in a ground blind in an area my dad had found saying "it's a natural funnel for deer moving through the area" She was convinced grampa was going to send her a buck and didn't want to leave the blind for any reason throughout the day. We sat from before sunrise until just before dark when a three pt came wandering through. She made a perfect shot and as we stood over the buck she said "I knew grampa would send me a buck". Seeing her determination, and the joy in her face at the end of the day made me realize his love of deer hunting will live on in a new generation.
Thanks Dad

[BigOakHunter]

I too am glad for this question, as it caused me some happy memories. I use a early 1950's 742 Woodsmaster in '06 caliber that I inherited in 1977, from my wifes grandfather. I have killed many deer with this gun and even though I could, have never replaced it. :)

[PahtridgeHunter]

I was 13 when I lost my maternal Grandmother. At her wake, my Grandfather, a hunter, pulled me aside and said "we'll go into the woods this fall and talk to Grandma." I never had that chance to do so with him, as he passed 6 weeks later.

From then on, I always make it a point to say a few words to them, and my paternal Grandparents who meant the world to me also and are now gone as well, when I am in the stand. I often feel as if the woods are "my church" and have a very spiritual experience when I am blessed to be in the presence of mother nature. This year was no different.

On the afternoon of the opener, we returned to the stand from lunch and I settled in. Mid afternoon, I tilted my head back against the large oak, closed my eyes and had my "conversation". I prayed for them to watch over my 3 month old son, and to keep the rest of the family healthy.

After a moment, I opened my eyes, leveled my head and looked to my left. There, standing 18 yards away, was a beautiful buck. I took him with a 15 yard shot and it ended up being my largest to date.

I think someone upstairs was telling me something...;)

-Jay

[huntfishlive]

I must say this thread is the greatest!

I unfortually never had the chance to hunt with my grandfather but we did do some fishing and golfing together. Just in the few times that we shared in a boat he taught me allot and I'll never forget it.
When deer hunting my father always clears a spot next to him for my grandfather. Just this year during bow season why'll getting suited up to go in the woods I asked my dad if he cleared a spot for grandpa at his new spot and he replyed that he was going to do it this morning. My dad, that same morning shot a nice 5pt. about a hour after clearing grandpa's spot.
I've always beleive that after someone close to you passes the are always watching over you.

[BUCKSLAYER2000]

I Started Hunting At 8 Years Old With My Grandpa. My Memories Were Filled With Great Lessons, But We'd Never Harvested A Deer Together. My Brother On The Other Hand Was With Gramps About Everytime.

Long Story Short, Eventually I Started Hunting By Myself And Gramps Gave Up Coming Down To Deer Camp. In The Summer Of 2000 My Grandpa Was Diagnosed With Lung Cancer And Decided That He Wanted To Come Hunting One Last Time. I Was Fortunate That Year To Take Two Great Bucks With A Bow, So It Was My "job To Take Grampa"

The First Deer We Saw Came In When It Was Still Grey, But I Thought That It Had Horns. Grampa Couldn't Find It In His Scope. We Bickered Back And Forth With Him Telling Me To Shoot It, And Me Telling Him Where It Was! Finally Grampa Found Him In The Scope And Let Loose. He Made A Great Shot On A Perfect 6 Pt. Buck. I Truly Believe That It Was The Hand Of God That Kept That Deer From Running Off, Giving Gramps Time To Find Him In The Scope. With Grampa Looking On, I Dressed Him Out With His Supervision Of Course.

Grampa Passed In The Winter Of 2001. My Brother Was With Him For Many A Successful Hunt, But I Got To Be With Him For His Last.:d

[jackbob42]

My dad passed away 11 years ago , just before deer season. I still think about him every day.
Anyways , because of this thread , I decided to start carrying the knife , that he baught me , in my pocket. It's not a big knife , but does a nice job. Anyway , Thanksgiving afternoon , I shot a small 8-point. Well , I used that knife to dress the deer except when I went to split the pelvis. I decided to use my grandsons knife , the one that I bought him. It's a little bigger and has a bigger handle for a little bit better grip. Well , right off the bat , I broke the tip off of it ! :yikes:
And , I could just hear my dad saying ( in his normal , sarcastic way ) , " You don't need a knife that damn big anyway ! ".

All I could do was just sit back and chuckle. :)
Funny how right they are , even when they're gone. :lol:
I love ya dad !

[DPESTUN]

I grew up there in Michigan. Went to deercamp several times in the early 80's and used a rifle that Dad had bought me as a birthday present. A Remington 700BDL .30-06. Dad had a Browning BAR in .30-06 that he had bought from a great uncle sometime in the 60s. I used to stare at it when I was little, it had an elk engraved on one side and a bull elk on the other. Anyways, I came out here after a stint in the army. I hunted some on Ft.Sill and killed afew deer with my Remington. I got married and my wife and I lucked out and got to live on a 16,000 acre ranch. My deer hunting went up a notch. I'd always send pictures home. One year, after my younger brother had left for the army and was in Europe, Mom and Dad came out to the ranch for Christmas. Shortly after pulling into the driveway Dad pulled his Browning out of his pick-up and handed it to me. He told me that with us boys gone he didn't care to deer hunt anymore, Mom wouldn't eat the meat anyways and he knew that I'd put the rifle to good use. He suggested that I put a good scope on it (which I did pronto) and I locked it away in my gunsafe. While they were there Dad and I spent a day on ATVs rideing and takeing pictures. That evening he complained about being old and his back hurting. Mom made him go to the doctor when they got back to Michigan. I'll never forget the phonecall when he called to tell us that he was dying. Bone cancer, in his spine. We buried my dad at Ft. Custer National Cemetary near Battle Creek in June (he used to hunt out there as a kid). The following November we actually had a snowfall on opening morning of gun-deer season out here, I took dad's rifle. I shot the biggest buck of my life to date that morning. (Buckzilla in my photos). That was in 1994. Last year I carried dad's rifle and killed a big deer that made it into Field and Stream (Long Shot). And yesturday I carried it and made a good shot on a running deer. I can't help but think that dad's out there with me. Thanks for the the rifle dad, and the idea, its paid off time and time again.

[bigdaddypife]

My dad and grandpa

My Dad died when I was 9- he was a vietnam vet and a hell of a dad and hunter. His last deer he got was an 8pointer that netted 127". That was in 1986. And my grandpa killed at least 100 bucks over the 60 + years of deer hunting he did. I always think about them when Im hunting and I am sure they are both looking over my shoulders right before I squeeze the trigger

[Old Shortstop]

It is ironic that this thread appeared. I lost my Dad on the morning of November 14 this year. He was not an avid hunter, but I do remember a full cabin of relatives each deer season as a kid and both my brother and I live a hunting lifestyle. It is not a hobby. I have decided that I am going to have a new long bow made and name it after Dad. It just seems like the thing to do. We will spend a lot of time together.

Dave

[WinMag]

This is an excellent thread. I always take my grandfather with me in spirit. I wish I had something more tangible to take along. I think I will copy one of his pictures and take that with me from now on.

I only got to hunt with him once, but he was known as a great woodsman and as the leader of his hunting club. Sometimes when I'm sitting in my blind, I can hear his deer hunting advice resonate in my brain. He taught me so much about deer hunting that I didn't understand at the time. Now, it makes perfect sense and I use his wisdom on every hunt.

[WinMag]

I know this is a deer hunting forum, but this story is relevant to the topic at hand. While I am still contemplating those who helped me develop as a hunter, I want to mention my best hunting buddy who died of cancer in 2002. I had always wanted to hunt turkeys but my grandfather was the only turkey hunter in the family and he had passed almost 20 years ago.

On a whim, I went to a turkey show and calling contest sponsored by the Michigan chapter of the NWTF. There, I met Matthew, an accomplished turkey hunter who offered to take a few days off work to show me the ropes. Turkey hunting had been a great mystery to me but Matt demystified everything from locating and calling to tracking and turkey behavior.

Matt called in a beautiful 21 lb. gobbler with 11 inch beard and 3/4" spurs and on his cue, I nailed the bird. We celebrated like kids on Christmas day. He was as happy for me as I was for myself. Matt didn't want payment for helping me, but since he was low on cash, I paid for his turkey mount that had been at the taxidermist shop waiting for pickup for over a year. I also had the turkey mounted that Matt called in for me.

Matt totally hid his illness from me. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed within a couple of months of the diagnosis. Now, I hunt turkeys every year and using the skills taught by Matt, I took a nice gobbler this year, too. I was looking forward to many more deer and turkey seasons with my buddy, but it didn't pan out that way. We were both young and the same age and his loss really hit home. He told me to just teach someone else and pass the knowledge on. Now, every chance I get, I try to touch someone else's life the way he touched mine. I pass on what I know to anyone who is willing to learn, especially youngsters.

[Whit1]

It is ironic that this thread appeared. I lost my Dad on the morning of November 14 this year. He was not an avid hunter, but I do remember a full cabin of relatives each deer season as a kid and both my brother and I live a hunting lifestyle. It is not a hobby. I have decided that I am going to have a new long bow made and name it after Dad. It just seems like the thing to do. We will spend a lot of time together.

Dave

Thoughts and prayers go out for you, your Dad, and the family.

[griffondog]

My bird hunting partner died of cancer about eight years ago. His wife brought me over some of his ashes to load in some shotgun shells for a memorial service so all his friends could have a 21 gun salute at his favorite hunting grounds.

When ever I go on a trip to do some bird hunting I load a few shells with some of Joe's ashes in them so he can enjoy the hunt with me and visit a new area. So far he's been to ten states and four provinces with me.


Griffondog

[Frantz]

I lost my dad a few years ago to cancer. This time of year is the hardest for me as this is the time we were the closest and the time that I have the most abd best memories of him. Most he time when I am in my blind, I think of him and talk to him and remember the stories and BS sessions we used to have with him and his best friend who quit hunting that same year dad died.

Thanks for starting this thread, it keeps people in check as to what others go through and that we all can and do feel the same pains, that we are not alone.

Lot of good people on these forums, lots of good memories as well.

[old graybeard]

My best friend and hunting partner was killed two years ago. We rifle hunted in the westurn UP together for well over twenty years. I still go and tent camp in the same spot and since I was given all of his hunting equipment I make sure that I have something of his with me when ever I head out into the woods. I also fastend a plaque onto the hemlock next to the spot where he shot his last buck, I visit it on each trip and make sure I leave him an ice cold Budwieser. This season I shot a very nice buck from his Lone Wolf tree stand and another buck from his Double Bull blind.

[Steelman]

I shot the biggest buck of my life last night. I know he was there and patted me on the back, congratulating me on a good hunt.
:)

I feel my dad's approval not just for getting a deer but for appreciating the beauties of the woods and rivers.

This year my son josh killed a deer in the UP with a gun I inherited from my uncle Sulo-a .308 model 100 Winchester. That makes three men in our family, including me who have bagged deer with that gun.

I have yet to get a deer with my dad's 30-06 Mauser that the above uncle plucked from a field near Bastogne as part of the 95th Division. My dad had it sporterized and killed numerous deer with it north of Muskegon, where he lived.

I carry a hand made knife he made during WWII while working at Continental "on the hill" making tanks. One of my first memories in my life is of my dad and I hiding behind some bushes and him trying to get me to see some elusive deer.

Big Walt was a stump sitter. He was big silent Finn and never made a move, the snow just piled up on him. My son Josh and I commune with old man and strive for his patience.

He is there with us.

[anthology86]

This is my first hunting season without my hunting (and fishing, golfing, racing, ect...) buddy. I've never felt so alone in the field before. For the last two years I took my best friend of the last 10 years hunting. He finally gave in to me pestering him about trying it. So we went out in nov 04 and his second or third time out he got a doe. I knew I had him hooked at that point. He loved it. After another long year of waiting (and a few new gun, camo, scent purchases) Nov 15th 05 finally comes around. Just before sunset he drops a 10 pointer from 150 yards through twigs and dead leaves. That buck never took another step. So now I definantly had recruited a hunter for life. This past year we started building a new blind, a real nice one that we'd be able to keep for years. Unfortunatly though, September 7th was the last time I'd get to talk to him. Early in the morning on Sept 10th he and two friends lost control of the car they were in and hit a tree out on a back road. After being airlifted to Hurley and making it through surgery, he passed away at about 9am on Sept 10th. The word pain has never felt so inadequate. I know we've all lost people we love but at 20 years old, I had to carry my best friend to his grave. It took more will than I can describe to even walk into the field again, but after fighting the emotions, I went out there on the 15th and never felt so close to him. It's something that we'll always share even if he can't be the one that helps me drag the deer back to the truck.


http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h255/anthology83/scan.jpg
Messing around with our sand irons at good harbor beach last summer
(i'm on the right)

[Whit1]

.............he passed away at about 9am on Sept 10th. The word pain has never felt so inadequate. I know we've all lost people we love but at 20 years old, I had to carry my best friend to his grave. It took more will than I can describe to even walk into the field again, but after fighting the emotions, I went out there on the 15th and never felt so close to him. It's something that we'll always share even if he can't be the one that helps me drag the deer back to the truck.


We understand!

One of the toughest things I've ever had to do was to speak at the memorial service for my best friend Bob, who passed from brain cancer in September of '99. My words were washed with tears as I spoke and the memories we shared kept flooding back to me. With Bob's help I did what I had to do and managed to tell a couple of tales about our adventures together that were ringed with humor, bringing laughter and smiles that helped ease the pain of the tears.

[anthology86]

Kinda funny, my friend was Bob too... they asked me to speak at the funeral but I told them there would be no way that anyone could hear anything I was trying to say anyway. I had a hard enough time just walking, being a pallbearer for my best friend, there is no way I could have spoken so I can really appreciate your courage at getting up there.

[Whit1]

Kinda funny, my friend was Bob too... they asked me to speak at the funeral but I told them there would be no way that anyone could hear anything I was trying to say anyway. I had a hard enough time just walking, being a pallbearer for my best friend, there is no way I could have spoken so I can really appreciate your courage at getting up there.

Well, I had some experience in speaking at such times. In '95 my sister passed away after a long illness. She had chosen a poem to be read at her gravesite service for internment and wanted me to read it. When I was asked on the day of her funeral, I initially declined. However, at the cemetary I said I'd do the reading. At first I had trouble getting the words out as they were being choked back by tears. It was then that I looked around at the others who were standing around the gravesite, looked up to the sky and said, for everyone to hear, "I guess this is something Donna would want me to do." I went on with the reading of the poem.

This learning experience has helped me immeasurably in the following years, including at Bob's memorial service. I am amazed at what we can do when we dig down into that well of strength that lies just beneath the surface when we are faced with difficult situations.

[ohio hunter]

Great thread. This is what it is really all about.

Fortunately, my dad is still around and hunts with me most of the time I get out. My nephew has started hunting this year and we already have many great memories. I pray that my kids will have the opportunity to hunt with him too. I don't know that I will be able to continue hunting when my dad is no longer hunting.:sad:

[itchn2fish]

I also bring loved ones with me when I'm outdoors. But especially on the rifle deer opener. I try and remember all of those that I have had the honor to know in my 46 years, some died old, many way too young. Just in the past two years it's been my Gramma, my mom, my best friend in highschool, and my wife.
As I was thinking of my friend and remembering some of our past hunts, something had me crank my head around and look behind me. Out came one of the nicest bucks I have ever taken.
Thank you to all of the friends and family that have given me so much.

[chrisu]

I didn't grow up hunting, rather, I took to it when I was about 18. My Dad never hunted except as a young boy, and that was one or two pheasant hunts, so I never hunted with him. My Grandpa was a hunter, and his Dad hunted but Grandpa hadn't been in the woods for many years when he died. I was 15 at the time.

I am happy the hunting gene landed in me. While I haven't been in the woods as much as I would like this year, my Grandpa's compass is with me every day. I keep it on my computer bag during the week, and when I go hunting, it is always in my coat.

Even though I never got to hunt with my Grandpa, or learn the craft from him, he is with me every step whether I am in the city or in the woods.