A Very Meaningful Buck

[KYHunter]

Bare with me as I give some background to this hunt.

A couple of years ago I lost my childhood best friend, Mitchell, to AML when he was in his mid 20s. We were inseparable as kids and were constantly in the woods or fishing any pond we could find. As we grew older and went our own ways we still made time to get together and hunt and fish. Even as he was sick we were making plans on buying a farm together. When he died I had the honor of speaking at his funeral and being a pall-bearer. His request for everyone at his funeral was to wear camo shirts. I wore one of my favorite camo shirts. It wasn’t anything special, just a cotton long sleeve with Realtree camo. I probably bought it at Walmart. That was one of the toughest days of my life and I think about him every time I’m in the woods or on the water.

Since the funeral I have thought about wearing that shirt a couple of times but could never bring myself to wear it. I even brought it with me last week on a hunt, planning to wear it, but accidentally dropped it out of the saddle trying to put it on. For some reason this Thursday I decided to wear it hunting for the first time since Mitchell’s funeral. As I sat in my saddle I thought about all the good memories we had hunting and fishing as kids and I’ll even admit I got a little wet in the eyes. I don’t know if it was coincidence or something more profound, but a great buck walked out that evening and presented me a shot. I admittedly made a very poor shot but somehow the buck died quickly in the same field as I shot him. I always thought that Mitchell was one of the luckiest people I’d ever met and had many of funny stories to back it up. I can’t help but think that some of his good luck was in that shirt. I don’t know if I’ll ever wear the shirt again and I may even leave it folded on the mount when I get it back. However, I’ll always have the very special memory of the buck I shot for Mitchell.

Hopefully you guys cherish the memories and experiences that you have with those friends we get to share in God’s creation with!

 

[Silvio]

Bare with me as I give some background to this hunt.

A couple of years ago I lost my childhood best friend, Mitchell, to AML when he was in his mid 20s. We were inseparable as kids and were constantly in the woods or fishing any pond we could find. As we grew older and went our own ways we still made time to get together and hunt and fish. Even as he was sick we were making plans on buying a farm together. When he died I had the honor of speaking at his funeral and being a pall-bearer. His request for everyone at his funeral was to wear camo shirts. I wore one of my favorite camo shirts. It wasn’t anything special, just a cotton long sleeve with Realtree camo. I probably bought it at Walmart. That was one of the toughest days of my life and I think about him every time I’m in the woods or on the water.

Since the funeral I have thought about wearing that shirt a couple of times but could never bring myself to wear it. I even brought it with me last week on a hunt, planning to wear it, but accidentally dropped it out of the saddle trying to put it on. For some reason this Thursday I decided to wear it hunting for the first time since Mitchell’s funeral. As I sat in my saddle I thought about all the good memories we had hunting and fishing as kids and I’ll even admit I got a little wet in the eyes. I don’t know if it was coincidence or something more profound, but a great buck walked out that evening and presented me a shot. I admittedly made a very poor shot but somehow the buck died quickly in the same field as I shot him. I always thought that Mitchell was one of the luckiest people I’d ever met and had many of funny stories to back it up. I can’t help but think that some of his good luck was in that shirt. I don’t know if I’ll ever wear the shirt again and I may even leave it folded on the mount when I get it back. However, I’ll always have the very special memory of the buck I shot for Mitchell.

Hopefully you guys cherish the memories and experiences that you have with those friends we get to share in God’s creation with!

Your truly blessed to have had a friend like Mitch...memories will always give you those special feelings about the bonds we have with others. The three most important words in life are "I love you" if you haven't told those your close to these words...make that phone call or take that short drive to see someone who's deserving...beautiful buck brother...I'd name this Hunt Mitchell's Buck

 

[MathewsShooter7]

That is a special deal. I would like to think Mitch was looking out for you...The Lord works in mysterious ways! I have a special box call of my late uncles and believe me, every spring we have a moment together!

 

[fbwguy]

I’m so touched that you shared that journey with us. Beautiful Buck! The camo shirt needs its place on the wall with Mitch’s deer for sure!!! Congratulations and always cherish the memories

 

[sdorton]

What a great story. Congrats on an Awesome buck.

 

[Smghostluvr]

Great buck and beautiful tribute to a friend. Hopefully his luck will live on in you. Congratulations.

 

[Recurveaholic]

My best friend when I was younger was named Mitchell and he was killed in a car accident with a motorcycle and my first born twin son is named after him and we were always together doing anything and everything so I feel your pain but you now have a wonderful memory to add to all the previous ones!!! Congrats on a beautiful deer!!!!

 

[ricky racer]

Thanks for sharing. That's a great story and a great buck!!

 

[boyne bowhunter]

That's a great buck and a better story! Thanks for taking the time to share it. I've hit the age where I've lost a few hunting pals now and I always take the time to think about them in the tree. It's my way to honor them and maybe share the hunt with them. You can know Mitchell was with you on that hunt.

 

[Bigterp]

Thanks for sharing, great buck!!!

 

[Redhaven]

Thanks for sharing. Best friends stay with us for a lifetime...one way or another. Congrats on a great buck.

 

[deerfly]

sometimes it all makes sense to you and that's all that matters.

 

[WoodyNC]

Congrats on a great buck. Have a couple of things from friends of mine that I lost in Mogadishu and other places that go with me. Helps to never forget and remind of the good things.

 

[Kurt]

Thank you for sharing that story, it's an important message. I believe he was there with you. I'd wear that shirt as my lucky hunting shirt as much as I could. What a great buck. The "Mitchell Buck"