Some of you may remember this series of posts from huntingnet.com http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/bowhunting/227125-prayers-thoughts-needed.html "Well guys I know I dont post much in here, but I read this bowhunting forum like it's the bible. I'm on it almost all day when I'm home, and fora change I need to talk about something. My uncle, (67),a Vietnam Vet and the man who taught me and my father everything we know about hunting and basically anything outdoors, the man who gave me my first bow, and the man who has always been so strong and seemed invincible, took a turn for the worse tonight. In all of my life I've never seen the man have anything more than a cold. He has been battling cancer now for about two years and it seemed like he had it beat. It started out with a form of colon cancer and after a hard fight with that, he was finally starting to do better. Then they discovered that he had lung cancer as well. He fought and fought through Chemo and radiation, and the doctors thought he had made it through although he was down from 6'4" 230 lbsto about 150 lbs. He started getting sick here about a month ago after we had thought he had made it and was on the road to recovery- turned out he had pneumonia and the cause of it was that from the radiation a hole had formed in his esophagus and fluid was leaking down into his lungs. They performed a surgery about two weeks ago to try and patch it, but it didn't work, they would have to wait until he got stronger to try and do something else to fix it. In the mean time he has been hooked up to feeding tubes since he can't eat or drink anything. Well last week they took a blood test and found that the fluid that was leaking down into his lungs had cancerous cells in it as well. They had decided that when he got stronger they would hit him with the Chemotherapy again. Today my aunt called me and said that she took him to the hospital since he couldn't breathe; Turns out that the hole in his esophagus has gotten bigger. The doctors said that there is nothing they can do because he is too weak for them to perform another surgery to try and fix it. He told them he wanted to go home. They said that they are making him comfortable and are going to letit run it's course. Like I said, I know you don't know me and I don't post here much, but asically I'm just asking for you all to think about him and pray for him. I just don't understand, he seemed like Superman to me... I found some pictures and feel like posting them, don't know why. He passed away not much after I made that post. But on his last hunt, a few months before I made that post, and a few months before passing away, he found a monster triple brow tine buck. He found the buck laying dead out in the field with the carcass and everything still together. As you'll see in the pictures, the buck's skull was literally broke in half. Here's that original post: http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/bowhunting/218263-dead-buck.html "A couple of years ago my aunt killed a HUGE buck with her shotgun, well my uncle was out bowhunting this year and kept seeing a buck that he said had the same bloodline as the one my aunt killed. He quit seeing it about 3 weeks ago, and he just found him againyesterday... We noticed that a coyote had been staying in this one corner of a beanfield for a while, so he went down there and looked and this is what he found. The left antler was actually broke out of the skull- theres about a 4 inch piece of skull still attached to the antler. My uncle thinks that this guy got locked up with another buck and the other buck just ripped the antler out of the skull. He said he's heard of it happening and kinda thought that was what happened to this guy. The pics dont really do it justice as they were taken with a camera phone, Im not a small guy and I can barely fit my fingers around the bases. What do you guys think coulda happened? What would you do with it? " So after some time and saving some money up, we found a Taxi that we really liked, and decided to get the deer mounted. Now I know alot of guys think it's crazy to mount a buck that you find, but for us, it has alot of sentimental value. So we recently got him back, and here he is: We love the mount. The taxidermist was Gary Wilford from Georgetown, IL, and his business is called "The Antler Shop Taxidermy". In the corner there with the two deer, you can see two pictures. They are both of my uncle. One of the pictures is him messing with one of young bucks that he raised, and the other picture is of him silhouetted against the sky while shooting his bow. Anyways, I thought some of you guys that could remember these posts would appreciate to see the end product of this whitetail!
The buck is to your uncle like " a true piece of the cross" is to Jesus. It is beautiful, and you should be proud to display it. Well done my friend....
Thanks Will, I never would have thought of it like that. We are very proud to display it, it's a constant reminder of all the good times shared with him.
Super Buck! Super mount! and with all the memories that go with it definitely a Trophy of a Lifetime! Dan
Yep great job on the mount and a awesome memorial to your uncle. It says something about you and your uncle and that is great..
Although I didnt remember the story from there, thanks for posting it here. Your Uncle meant alot to you, I tell by your post. The mount turned out awesome!
The buck is a great tribute to a man who was a great influence in your life. You did the right thing by getting it mounted. Now everytime you look at it, you will be reminded of him. Always cherish his memory and you can honor him by paying forward what he did for you. Blessings.....Pastorjim
I remember that thread as well. The mount is beautiful and will be a great reminder of your uncle to last your lifetime. I hope i can leave the same lasting impression on my nephews as your uncle left with you.
Outstanding thread Englum, outstanding!!! I too remember this thread on HNI, I recognized the picture's right away. Your alright my friend. He's looking down grinning at you knowing he did one hell of a job with you. Mucho respect to you and then some!!
Didnt ever see the original posts, but this is very touching. Nice mount, and since I didnt see the original posts, sorry for your loss.
Thanks man, and by the way, I love the Avatar- fits you nicely, lol. Thank you sir! Thanks alot man! Steve I don't really know what to say. Thanks so much for the kind words, I really appreciate them. It means alot. Thank you very much!!
