I'll preface this by saying that I don't have internet at my new place yet and I may not get to check back on this till Sunday night or Monday morning, so thank you in advance. Short version. 2006....weekend warrior, one hunt a week, Saturday morning....I miss a really good 8 that year and something clicked. I wanted more of this. Traded in my 13 year old Browning and bought a new Bowtech, joined HNI, and dove in. I hadn't shot a buck in my life, rifle or bow. I'd had brushes with it, but just never happened, wasn't a serious priority. When I got more serious in 2007, I said I wasn't just gonna shoot a buck to shoot a buck. I've actually passed bucks bigger than the one I shot today. After losing a great buck last year and an ok buck the year before, and then losing a really great piece of ground last year things changed a bit. I spent nearly all of this offseason on a new house for my young family. I also realized that hunting 200 hours a year holding out for the "right" buck just wasn't gonna work this year, I've still got stuff to get done. All this really made this hunting season seem wierd, abnormal, strange. Today, I had a doe run through with two bucks chasing her, my heart lept and I felt that feeling I had been missing....excitement. He's not the "perfect" buck that I imagined holding out for my first, but the demons have been exercised and the monkey is off my back. 30 yards from the tree I killed a doe out of in late season last year. Another fine day in the woods with my father in law. I'll cherish every hunt I have with him, he's truly a great man, and I've been honored to be part of his family. With that broken right side, he's slightly Robish, which is funny, because I was supposed to have him in the tree with a camera but he fell ill last night. Here's my favorite picture. (Had to include it for ya Scott.) Funny how life changes. A totally new and totally awesome aspect of the hunt is this guy running up to the truck.
Congrats again, bud, you deserved this, and I'm glad the monkey is off your back! Now if you could send some of that luck my way, please:D
Ben, not slammin' the way you hunt, but I learned Looong ago, waiting for a "monster" buck in PA is going to be more frustrating than you could imagine. Every year I set to the timber wanting to shoot a "big buck", but realize that if I pass decent bucks in my quest, I'll never feel that "rush" from season to season! Go out, enjoy you hunts, and enjoy the deer you arrow! Oh, by the way, once you get a bow in that little dude's hands and he shoots his first one, it's more exciting and rewarding than any of the deer you will take yourself!! Great job! Nice PA buck!!
Made my day too, made my season... with me pretty much writing the season off, I wanted Ben to score his first. Last night we sat in my food plot stand, no plot but we saw a small buck and skinheads.. we thought about it again this morning but he opted for the stand he shot this guy from, great choice and through all my excitement, I was also miffed I didn't feel well when my alarm went off this morning..we would have caught it on film... First text I got this morning, " Man wish u were here, What a beautiful morn. " Then, a little over 2 hours later... " Buck Down! It's a Rob buck, not huge but not small". Made my day and season! Pics turned out great Ben...
Ben, I sooooo wish I could be there to shake your hand and tell you congrats in person. That one is very special my friend!! BIG CONGRATS TO YOU,,,AWESOME!!!!
Man, Ben. I'm so happy for you bro. That first buck...it's really not about the antlers. It's not. It's tasting the success that you've been longing for. It's a beginning, a starting point. Your anchor is down. The puzzle pieces will start to come together and the big bucks will start falling, one by one. Big slap on the back, man. Go bunnies.
That's great man, big time congrats to you! Looks like the little man is growing fast, I'm sure he's proud of dad's first buck
