As stated above the hunting world has lost one of it's true legends. Larry was a personal friend of ours since right after high school. It's true he was a purist gun hunter and we were purist bowhunters, but our mutual love and respect for the mature whitetail was the bond that brought us together. I've told this story before but it's one of my favorite Larry Benoit tales that exemplifies what his friendship was like. In May of 1973 I had just moved from Vermont to Whitefish, Montana. One afternoon the phone rang. It was Larry and his wife. They were down at the Conoco station in Whitefish. Now get this.. he said he and Iris had driven out to the Las Vegas, NV area to see his brother. He thought as long as he was this close they'd swing up for a visit (check a map to see how far Whitefish, MT is from Las Vegas) Ha. About 10PM he said they probably should be getting a motel. My wife, out of the goodness of her heart suggested they stay with us (meaning overnight). They stayed for TWO WEEKS! And we loved it. We'd look for shed antlers, scout, go fishing in the days and go spring bear hunting in the evenings. The next year they came back out for three weeks. One of my proudest memories was when they got ready to leave Iris would pull me aside and tell me how much Larry appreciated our friendship because I was one of the only "young guys" that really understood whitetails. Then she'd acknowledge the fact he asked her to tell me because he was afraid if he did he'd get "emotional." That's the kind of guy he was. Another special memory was one day after having a conversation regarding his Indian heritage and him wearing what he called "neck-laces", he mentioned I couldn't wear one because I "didn't have the balls." So, in order to prove my manhood, I was forced to wear a neck-lace for a year. I still laugh about it. The man was one of a kind and as genuine as they come. When anyone becomes as successful at taking big whitetails as the Benoit family some unwarranted rumors surface. Trust me, the guy was for real. I witnessed him doing his thing as he stood next to me. I'd challenge him on his ability to pull off a shot. He'd look me in the eye then spat a big blast of Redman chew at my feet and touch off an otherwise unbelieveable shot. For those who have never seen their hunting videos I'd highly recommend them. The fact these are free roaming wild whitetails being filmed in actual tracking/hunting conditions will likely make you also a believer. I've been in video productions for about as long as anyone. I know how hard it is. To track, jump-shoot and consistently kill big mature, wild bucks on film is impressive. But the bottom line is it couldn't be accomplished if Larry and the boys didn't produce. I had full intentions to make a run over to Larry's this summer while I was back in Maine. But some serious family health issues with my brother-in-law unfortunately changed those plans. And for that I'm really sorry. For those who did not have the privilege of meeting/knowing Larry Benoit please rest assured he was one of a kind and one of the best whitetail hunters who ever lived. We owe a debt of thanks for all the knowledge and woodsmanship he and his family have passed down to the future generations. I was extremely proud to call him a friend. BW