To start the story My little brother Jake who was my best friend and hunting buddy recently committed suicide due to depression Sept. 27th on his birthday. Things have been really rough lately, It absolutely crushed me. He wrote a letter to me and one of the things he mentioned was not to worry as "I'll be looking over your shoulder when you whack a big one with that Stick bow". Strangely something happened and I finally had the desire to go for a walk through the woods Sunday and found some good sign and lots of red oak acorns falling under a tree we often hunted. I was able to get out last night, It was a miserable trip in as the temp was 82 degrees and I was sweating like a SOB. However, the acorns were raining down all evening. Finally around sunset I heard a deer feeding my way and confirmed it was a doe. A few minutes later I could hear more commotion that direction and was pretty sure I heard a buck grunt. Then I heard another that I knew for sure was a buck grunt. Then all hell broke loose for a minute or so. I could then see another deer headed my way from the direction of the commotion and it had horns. It was about 75 yards out and I could scope him out pretty good with the bino's. He worked his way to me huffing for acorns stopping periodically to crunch one all the way in. He stopped at 12 yards under the Big Red Oak and gave me a decent shot. I took a deep breath and the arrow was on its way but it was just dark enough to not be able to see where it hit. Everything felt good through the shot and the bucks reaction was of the mortal type. He kicked and  went about 70 yards as fast as he could run and stopped. I could hear the blood gurgling in his lungs and knew then that the arrow had indeed flown true. Further inspection revealed a perfect double lung shot slicing into the heart and running down the inside of off side leg. The blood trail was nearly non existent due to no exit hole, but I knew exactly where he had ran to. This is my best Trad buck to date and I did it with Jake looking over my shoulder. I cried like a baby all the way home. I shot it with my new Javaman Elkheart TD 60" 45 @ 27 shooting Easton 500 FMJ's and Cutthroat 200's. I don't know how to post pics now since the photobucket crash. If someone can I'll email them to be posted.
John

John
thanks for sharing your brother is so proud of you. Take comfort in the Lord and let all the weight on his shoulders. This world is a tough place at times (most times). If we all spent more time in nature this world would be a better place.
God Bless you and yours,
Chad

John, my heart goes out to you my friend....
Thank you for sharing this special hunt in such a hard/tough season of your life!

I know words wont come close to describing the emotions you are feeling and going through, hang in there my friend, Ill be praying that the Lord will help you find peace in this most difficult time....  

Ben

Wow, Thank you for sharing that story and God Bless you!  Now lets see the picture of the deer you guys got!

Suicide is very hard to deal with but you may have found the best way.  Attaboy
Tim B

No better way to honor your brother than a special hunt! It's always hard to lose someone close to you but even more so when it's someone who shares the same passion you do. You did well and I know your brother is very proud of you! Congrats!

So sorry for your loss! Prayers for u and ur family.   Congrats on an awesome hunt and I bet ur brother sent him ur way.

Roy

Congratulations on the hunt and always keep the memories of family close

John,

Congrats on the great buck, I can't wait to see a picture.  I know it's very special to you.  It's amazing how the Lord works in such mysterious ways.

Back in June of 2009, my step dad overdosed on drugs.  It was tough to deal with, especially with the NFL season coming up and him being such a huge Saints fan.  What were the chances of them winning the Superbowl that year?  IMO, zero, but they did.  May have just been dumb luck, but either way, I felt like that Lord played a huge part in that.

So sorry to hear about your brother, Prayers to you and your family.  
Awesome job on the buck,
Ed

Thanks Fellas,

I never really much believed in the spirit world but this definitely makes you wonder.

Its not a monster by any means but it'll sure work for this old Hillbilly.

Now if someone would just come along that knows how to post pics.

I was very sorry to hear about your loss, but this hunt, and many others to follow, will always keep your brother close. Best wishes.

P.M. Sent

Thank you for sharing....

May time heal your heart.

Here's John's great Buck!!!!

Congrats John    

Beautiful buck congratulations, again sorry for you loss, im sure he'd be proud of that buck

Thank you for sharing your special hunt John.  My prayers for you and your family during this difficult time.  I'm sure your brother is smiling and saying job well done!  God Bless!

Skill, luck, or divine intervention.....any way you look at it....you got a dandy buck. Congrats.

What a good buck John.  Congrats on the deer and keep your head up in these tough times.