A Christmas Miracle

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PK_
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A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby PK_ » Mon Dec 27, 2021 12:57 am

I was going to wait ‘til the end of season to just make one post of my kills, but I had to share this with you guys while it was still raw.

I got to experience something I didn’t think would ever happen to me. I have dreamt about this very thing since I could ever remember, since I first saw a picture of one.

I was scouting with a buddy the day before a hunt and at last light we saw a buck standing on the edge of a thicket. Not just any buck but a very special deer.
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Almost immediately we guess the buck is locked down with a doe we can’t see, because he knows we are there and he clearly doesn’t want to move. After watching him for several minutes he finally turns to head back in the thicket and we realize he is injured and limping.

We plan to head back first thing in the morning to relocate him. We find him at first light about 70 yards from where we last saw him and he bedded down. We kept the wind right, snuck up and jumped him.

My buddy was slightly in front of me so when the deer got up I yelled for him to kill it. He let a round of buckshot go and only nicked one of his antlers and his gun jammed. The deer stopped and looked back at us. I took a step forward and put a slug through his shoulders.

This is where things got a bit deflating. When we walked up to the deer it became very clear that this buck was near death. His ribs and hips were showing and we could then see that he had been hit by a car at some point. It made me sick to see the condition he was in. But he was still one of the most beautiful animals I have ever laid eyes on.

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I have photos to show how bad of shape he was in but I don’t want to share them because I want this deer to be seen for how beautiful he was and not for what he had become.

I don’t know if I did a good job with that write up but I am still in shock about it honestly. Like I said I have dreamt of a deer like this my entire life and to be able to get one in my home state on a piece of public that I have loved for a long time makes it really special.

After I killed the deer I learned there were a lot of guys that were after this deer. As happy and humbled as I am to be the lucky one who got him, I feel equally sad that the other guys no longer have the opportunity at him. But I am also glad he didn’t fully succumb to his injuries and end up rotting in the ground.

Dreams do come true. So never stop believing and most of all, never quit trying.


No Shortcuts. No Excuses. No Regrets.
Everybody's selling dreams. I'm too cheap to buy one.
Rich M wrote:Typically, hunting FL has been like getting a root canal
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WV Bowhunter
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby WV Bowhunter » Mon Dec 27, 2021 1:11 am

Really cool looking buck. Congrats!!
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity!!
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby dan » Mon Dec 27, 2021 1:21 am

Wow... Dream buck!
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hunting_dad
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby hunting_dad » Mon Dec 27, 2021 1:43 am

Man that’s a beautiful deer, and you did a fantastic job on the write up. Much respect to you and honoring that deer. Glad you were the one to get him, knowing how much he means to you.
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Bonecrusher101
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby Bonecrusher101 » Mon Dec 27, 2021 2:00 am

Congrats on a rare beauty!
Be original and Enjoy every step along the adventure.
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Ryan549
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby Ryan549 » Mon Dec 27, 2021 2:51 am

I liked the write up. It just goes to show that we aren’t just running around murdering animals. We do care about them. It is sad when we make a kill. We respect the animals enough to care.
Ryan
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justdirtyfun
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby justdirtyfun » Mon Dec 27, 2021 3:04 am

Congratulations.
That's a unbelievable write up and set of pictures.
Class act PK.
You don't have to be the best, just do your best.
Findian
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby Findian » Mon Dec 27, 2021 3:12 am

Congrats, what a unique buck.
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backstraps
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby backstraps » Mon Dec 27, 2021 4:01 am

Congratulations PK! What an amazing creature, and I am sure a dream buck for many if not most hunters! Glad you were able to bring him home.
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Jackson Marsh
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby Jackson Marsh » Mon Dec 27, 2021 4:08 am

That's one of a kind. Awesome 8-)

Going to be a great looking mount.
KRONIIK
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby KRONIIK » Mon Dec 27, 2021 6:32 am

Full body mount?
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Jackson Marsh
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby Jackson Marsh » Mon Dec 27, 2021 6:57 am

KRONIIK wrote:Full body mount?



That's what I was thinking.....or a full tanning of hide would look awesome too
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oldrank
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby oldrank » Mon Dec 27, 2021 7:03 am

Beautiful buck !!
mipubbucks24
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby mipubbucks24 » Mon Dec 27, 2021 7:08 am

Congrats PK
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DaveT1963
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Re: A Christmas Miracle

Unread postby DaveT1963 » Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:42 am

Awesome PK, congrats.


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