Some of you may have seen this on Facebook today, but I thought I would make a post here to share with everyone. I'm still on cloud 9 and I didn't shoot a thing today. Today was the PA rifle opener and it marked the 49th consecutive day my dad entered the woods. He is the reason I'm as addicted to hunting as I am. He started me young, took me out scouting, bought me my first rifles, my first two bows, and even my first trail camera. He taught me tracking, the art of patience, the need for a quick and ethical kill. He introduced me to the outdoors and watched me grow. He still lights up whenever I shoot a deer and we go out tracking together. We've cleaned every deer together, cut them up together, etc., He's not one to show much emotion or say I love you, but he shows it through action, and often it's during hunting that we bond the most. He has killed his fair share of deer in his 48 years of hunting, but a true PA "keeper" had always eluded him. He always joked that I killed 4 deer in 5 years that were all bigger than his biggest PA buck. It just so happens his luck was about to change as he set foot into the woods this morning. We had been seeing several solid bucks cruising since early November. More than we had in the past. My dad has spotted a main frame 8 on several occasions during the past month. Every time he saw him, he was in the same general base of a thick ridge and heading west over the top. My dad decided he would setup on top of this ridge to try to intercept one cruising through. He got his stand setup a few weeks back and let the place settle down. He told me yesterday evening to keep my phone on and wait for a call to bring the tractor if he needed help. I was tagged out, so I slept in. I woke up at 7:10 and saw two missed calls from my dad and already knew there was good news on the other end. I quickly called back and he told me the quick story of how he came in at 40yds (20yds from one of my archery stands) cruising and when he caught my dad's scent drag, and came in on a line. Dad drilled him and he fell 70yds later. My dad, never one for extravagance, simply said "he's a good heavy buck." I made it over to the house in record time with my camera in tow. When we got up to the buck, I immediately recognized him. I had ONE picture of him back in September and he was my #1 target. I was so pumped! He will score 125" and some change I believe (haven't scored yet), and is easily the biggest buck we've taken on the property, and the biggest he's taken in his 49 years. The kicker? He's not sure he's going to get it mounted. So, if he doesn't, I'm going to. I already called my mom and told her I will cover the cost if necessary (although that's not the reasoning). This is truly a once in a lifetime buck for our area, and one I want to remember him by for many years. I'm just a really proud son right now. How about some pictures? My cousin's boyfriend (from NC) connected on his first PA buck as well this morning and was able to share it with his 1yr old son: Trail cam of my dad's buck in September: Trail cam photo of my cousin's boyfriend's buck a few weeks ago:
That's awesome. Cherish those times spent with your dad. This is the first season my dad has been able to hunt due to his health since 2008. I haven't even drawn my bow, but I've had a blast just being out there with him. Congrats to your pops on a great buck!
Hes nuts to not mount that deer....that thing has wall all over it....congrats to you guys Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
It was a great day to be in the woods. Congratulations to your dad and cousin. I bet your dad's buck pushes 130". Heck of a deer anyways.
I'm guessing 126 to 129 on that score. Awesome story. Thanks for sharing! :D sent from old school can and string
Congrats to your dad! I'm betting you're off by about 10 inches on your score estimate, then again you've seen him first hand. From the pics I'm guessing 136 3/8" 22" beams 10" G2's 19-20" spread
Congrats to both of you and thanks for sharing the story. That is a great buck no matter what state your from
