mattc
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 20
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Post by mattc on Dec 1, 2017 23:58:07 GMT -5
I got a message from my dad yesterday, thought some of you guys might enjoy the story. Pop is well into his 70s now, his once thick and powerful frame has withered, spinal stenosis has stolen his breath and his strength. I planted a turnip patch in a place I could drive my truck to and installed him in the blind at my place in Missouri earlier this year. We didn't get anything and I wondered if perhaps he had harvested his last deer. So I was a bit surprised to learn that he had shuffled out into the meadow behind his house in Indiana yesterday. A doe came by and he stuck a 44 special in her taking off the top of her heart. She ran down into the bottom a very steep ravine and died. Pop slid down the hill on his rear, tied a rope to her neck then crawled 35 yards up the hill where he rested and used a tree to pull himself to his feet. He got his little Toyota back there and pulled It. The rope broke and he repeated the process. A snatch block and block and tackle pulled by his lawn mower got it hung. He rested then cut meat today. Mom came back from the YMCA and he was frying steaks in a cast iron skillet that has seen its share of venison. I could hear the joy in his voice and picture his gap toothed smile. Load was an old ideal 42921 with the square lube grooves we cast 10 plus years ago. He can't remember if pushed by 2400 or unique. It was dispensed from his old converted flattop 357 Blackhawks. I am sure grateful for this deer and more still for the man who taught me to seek out the last of the wild places too steep to fence or farm, to walk the old paths, to be still and listen for the faint drumbeats of long ago. I'm 45 and realize now that most all the important things I know I learned from his example.
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Post by Stump Buster on Dec 2, 2017 0:05:57 GMT -5
That's AWESOME!!!
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One more
Dec 2, 2017 0:26:38 GMT -5
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Post by 2 Dogs on Dec 2, 2017 0:26:38 GMT -5
Well, that’s just most excellent. Inspirational too for those of us on the down side. I hope you took a picture or two for yourself. If you think of it, maybe you might share a photo with us. Pretty heart warming for me, I miss my Dad a great deal.
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,559
Member is Online
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Post by Fowler on Dec 2, 2017 1:40:40 GMT -5
I love it, thanks for the story, warmed my heart and put a smile on my face this evening.
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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One more
Dec 2, 2017 2:15:25 GMT -5
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Post by cmh on Dec 2, 2017 2:15:25 GMT -5
That story is a great ending to a tired day... Thanks for that and congrats to you and your Dad for makin meat 😉
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Post by jfs on Dec 2, 2017 2:20:31 GMT -5
My hat is off to your father along with a sincere congratulations...........................
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Post by bula on Dec 2, 2017 6:56:14 GMT -5
A great story. Thank you for sharing. Had an Uncle now long gone that went to camp one more time and got his last deer after cancer went terminal. He was smiling when he could no longer talk.
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lws
.30 Stingray
Spokane Valley, Washington
Posts: 229
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Post by lws on Dec 2, 2017 9:23:05 GMT -5
Congrats to you Dad . I to am in my 70s and know how he must feel.
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Post by cherokeetracker on Dec 2, 2017 9:26:35 GMT -5
That story is simply awesome and I give a sincere congratulations to a determined and brilliant woodsman. Please shake your Dad's hand for me, and tell him a job well done.
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Post by bigbrowndog on Dec 2, 2017 10:17:38 GMT -5
That’s a very nice story. I’m sure him doing it all by himself was very gratifying for him, while he was smelling that steak sizzling in the skillet.
Trapr
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Post by mart on Dec 2, 2017 10:39:06 GMT -5
I can't remember when I've read a better hunting story. Your dad sounds like a great man and the spirit of the hunt still lives in him. I'd be lying if I said your story didn't bring a little dampness to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.
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Post by hughree on Dec 2, 2017 12:26:55 GMT -5
What a story! Thanks so much for sharing that. It truly made my day.
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Post by kings6 on Dec 2, 2017 13:43:47 GMT -5
The stories of hunters bookending their time on earth, the first time hunters with their first deer and stories like you dad who is closer to the end of the journey are the best stories in my book. We all love to see pictures of the 300+ bulls but these are the true stories of people lives who live with the outdoors as part of their fabric of being. Thank you for sharing.
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Post by bushog on Dec 2, 2017 17:11:11 GMT -5
Good for your Dad.
Gets up, out and gets it done....
I don't even know the man but I can see that smile!
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Post by 2 Dogs on Dec 2, 2017 18:41:09 GMT -5
I can't remember when I've read a better hunting story. Your dad sounds like a great man and the spirit of the hunt still lives in him. I'd be lying if I said your story didn't bring a little dampness to my eyes. Thank you for sharing. Excellent post right here.
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