I began to pray. Actually I was praying the whole time, mostly for the deer's sake. I very much have a problem with an animal suffering unneccessarily because of me and it weighed on me heavily. No one wants to see that. You always hear the horror stories of deer bleeding all over the place, then running for miles. I didn't want to happen to me, but more importantly to that deer.
Upon reaching the area where I stopped last time I dropped the sled and collected my thoughts for a moment. I couldn't help but remember those other deer I had lost and how I lost so much sleep over them. I said another prayer and headed out further into the swamp. Within a couple steps I found myself in some very tight areas following this blood trail. About 50 yards in, "There, is that...wha...yes!!!!...there it is!!!!!Oh, there it is!!!" Oh, the emotions that ran over me at that moment could not be counted on a calculator. What a feeling, what a rush of thankfullness, joy, release, happiness yet tempered by the sadness for having taken a life. Oh, what a paradox it is! I have never had a feeling such as this in my life!
I kneeled next to the doe for a while and said a prayer of thanks for allowing the deer to die so quickly. I don't know if I have ever been happier than at this moment. I was almost overcome with joy! After countless hours in the woods over three years I had finally connected. Oh, I can hardly put it into words! I called all those who had been rooting for me and I know they could tell by my voice that I was emotional. Oh, and how great it is to be able to share that with others and have them share in it! I could hear the excitement in their voices. It sure is a blessing to have those around you who join in the experience with you. I can sure tell you guys one thing...I am never giving traditional bowhunting up...NEVER! It could have been the biggest deer in the world right then and I couldn't have been any happier! And the last hour of the last day of the season! Oh, what a day!
Here now, I can share the pictures that I have been waiting to post:
Here is the entry hole:
I ended up clipping the rear of one lung, sliced the diaphragm, and the liver. I certainly wouldn't have wanted it any further back! I was finally able to get my broadheads truly razor sharp and it really paid off big time for me! I ended up getting a complete passthrough!! Thanks for the sharpening tips Charlie!
And finally, here is the picture I've been wanting to take for years!
Hey, thanks for all those who took the long ride and put up with my writing all this time. I hope it was worth it! It's hard not to talk about something so special to me! Take care everyone, Matt Grode
Topic: Never give up! (Conclusion- pg 4) (Read 9106 times)
