If there is ever a moment in time that I dread the most it is the phone call about the one that got away. It isn’t about the average doe or the average buck. It is about the monster of all monster bucks. The one he has waited a lifetime to see. The one he told himself he will probably never see again. The one he spent hours after hours, days after days, waiting for the opportunity to get that one shot at this buck. The one he MISSED.
It was a couple of weeks ago and Mark was at the river hunting and I was on my way home. I was in my glory thinking of the pizza I was going to pick up and enjoy while watching a lifetime movie in a quiet house. Suddenly my cell phone rang and I could feel the anger, frustration and disappointment in Mark’s voice.
He had been hunting all morning and again that afternoon. Before sunset, a few does came within 12 yards of his stand and a small year and half buck. After watching the deer pass he knew it would only be minutes before he would gather his gear, climb out of his stand and head back to his truck. Then it happened. A large buck came within 7 yards.
(This was captured on his trail cam just before bow season and who he was scouting.)
Mark grabbed his bow and came to a full draw. As he was releasing his arrow, the deer turned. Mark then turned slightly, released his arrow and then he heard snap. He looked and there it was. His arrow embedded in a large limb of a tree.
This is the actual photo.
And here it is. This years mount.
I have heard this story over and over. From telling me, to telling family, to telling friends. Oh please, oh please, oh please someone help me. I will never hear the end of it.
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I feel your pain
My hunter has a similar story this year too…
Well, at least he has a sense of humor about it.
There’s always next year.
Jenn, believe me…it is very painful for ME!!!
Kristine, he sure didn’t at the time.
LoL! Nice story and funny picture
And thank you for adding me to your blogroll! I have to figure out how to make one of those still
Artemis, I am sure Othmar can help you out with that.
Great story. Sometimes the deer that get away are more memorable then the one’s we shoot.
Great idea to mount the stick though. I thought that was awesome.
Arthur, believe me I know how memorable this one will be. Help…
It actually is a cool mount in our basement.
I had to pass this story on to my wife because she has to tell me to shut up all of the time over stuff like this. Like you said, every time he tells it, it is to someone new. But to you, it just keeps getting older and older.
, others with less knowledge seek his guidance and therefore need to know his story so they can learn from his mistakes. You should be grateful that you are married to such a great hunter, and try EVEN harder to listen to his stories!
I try to remember this and cut my stories short, but it is hard. Doesn’t everyone need to know every detail of whatever hunting tragedy has befallen me
And your husband probably has the same problem I have, and that is that people ask about his hunting. I doubt he chases people down the street to complain about his buck, but since he is obviously recognized as a great hunter, like myself
Now that I have thought about this more, I think I will try this line of reasoning on my wife! I’ll get back to you if I am still able to talk…or walk.
Jeff, you are correct when you say try to listen. But what happens is I normally hear the story first, then he is on the phone with brother #1 and I hear, then brother #2 and I hear, then brother #3 and I hear, then my Dad and I hear, then his friends and I hear. Then if I have friends that come by they hear (and they don’t hunt) and I then stand behind his back wording “OMG, I’m so sorry (doing my wifely duty of rolling my eyes)!”
Make sure to check back in so we know you are ok.