I went into the 2024 deer season with the goal of harvesting my third deer with a recurve bow. I was pretty blessed my first season and was able to take a buck from the ground. I had a few blown opportunities in the early season on a couple of does. On October 21, I had a doe almost step inside my shooting lane, but not quite. Later that morning I was driving an hour north up on an old country road to go visit my mother who’s in a nursing home. I came around a corner and at that exact moment, a coal truck coming my direction took the turn too fast, his load came off his trailer and landed directly on top of my minivan. My car went off the road and landed on its side. I don’t remember the crash but remember waking up in the vehicle . I was covered in coal. They rushed me to a nearby hospital. I was then flown to Grant Medical in Columbus. I had a broken back that required a spinal fusion, a broken jaw, so they wired my mouth shut for over a month, six broken ribs and a broken finger. But I was grateful just to be alive. I assumed my hunting season would be over. Nine days later, I was able to walk out of the hospital and begin my recovery at home. Had a great support system with my family and my church. I hit PT pretty hard during the month of November. The doctors and therapist couldn’t believe how fast I was recovering. I give credit to God and all of the prayers I had on that one. My last procedure was on December 6 and I asked the doctor if I had any restrictions and he said no. I was clear to do whatever I felt like I could do. On my way home I contacted a friend of mine and asked him if he wouldn’t mind helping me get into the woods the next day. It was gun season in Ohio, but I elected to use a crossbow because I felt like recoil on my shoulder might not be a smart idea. We decided to hunt a ridge top where I had seen a lot of movement on my trail camera. I wasn’t able to climb up in a tree so we sat on the ground with our backs to a tree and I had hoped just to get a doe if one would happen by. I did pass on a spike early on and then we stood up to get some circulation because it was cold. Much to our surprise, we saw three bucks moving down a ridge in front of us and the first one was a nice one in my book! I let out a grunt with my mouth and 10 minutes later this buck did a 180, crossed the ravine and strolled into 20 yards where I put a heart shot on him. My friend was able to get it all on film and helped me get the deer out. Scored him at 131 5/8…My biggest buck to date! All I can say is God is good and I’m grateful for another day to live and love my family. And pretty stoked about that buck too! I’m not sure why He let me survive that crash but I do know I’ll give Him glory for it. I’m currently gearing up for an elk hunt in Montana this September. We just released the film on our channel and I thought I’d share it all with you. Hope you enjoy and good luck this coming season!
Unreal! Looking at your vehicle, it's amazing you survived. You're one tough dude! God was with you that day, there's no doubt. That's an awesome buck, congrats!
Glad you are alright considering the condition of the van. Seems that your desire to overcome the injuries and surgery was a great factor. And, oh yes, one of our church staff says, "God is good...all the time!"
