Friends, Family and the Outdoors
Posted By
michigan
at
11/5/2009 12:00:00 AM
Today was a great day. A really great day. No, I didn't kill a buck. Heck, I hardly saw any deer. But a buck did fall. It was a buck that I have trailcam photos of. I hung the stand the buck was killed from. I helped in a small way to orchestrate the plan of attack. But I didn't kill the deer. And that's exactly what I was hoping for.
People make fun of me sometimes because I refuse to wear any camo that's not Realtree. And I refuse to let those who hunt with me wear anything but Realtree. No, I'm not a jerk about it. Just call it "friendly persuasion."
I hope by now folks realize that I'm not real big on ego or bravado. I just don't think people really have time to waste so I generally say what I mean and mean what I say. This isn't a commercial. This is just one guy's opinion. I'm not some kind of high-level prostaff or paid endorsee. I wear Realtree because, in my experience, it's made by a group of people that share the same values that I do. Like I said, this isn't a plug. I'm just trying to explain that the whole "Friends, Family and the Outdoors" deal isn't a catchphrase. It's a mission statement for me. It's what I believe in. And it's what the people I've met fom Realtree believe in. Which is why I wear it. And that's the truth.
Today, that slogan really hit home.
I've had a super-rough year in the woods. I have basically felt like I didn't really have a shot at tagging a good buck this year and, to be honest, wasn't having much fun trying. Enter the friends. I hunt with a group of brothers who are members of the Amish community in my area. They have access to some great ground and they've worked their tails off at managing it the best they can. They share that ground with me -- and they never ask for anything in return. In fact, they insist I hunt it with them and that I hunt the best stands. Those guys have given me hope for this season. And I can't tell you what hope means to a hunter.
Well, one of the brothers hadn't shot a buck with his bow in 15 years. He's passed on dozens of young bucks -- and some pretty good ones to boot. To say he was due is an understatement.
Today, the drought came to an end. He killed a great buck this morning, the buck I mentioned earlier. I don't know who was more excited -- him or me. In fact, I actually almost lost it in the tree trying to relay the news on camera. I'm not ashamed to admit that I got a little choked up -- thankfully I don't think the camera was rolling at that point. But you'll be able to see the footage on Monday's show. It's a cool story. No, the kill isn't on tape but you can see my reaction to the news and tag along on the recovery.
I had a great hunt and I didn't kill a deer. It didn't even matter. I was able to enjoy in the celebration and experience something awesome. Sure, those guys aren't truly family in the traditional sense. But sometimes that line between "friends" and "family" gets a little blurry. But the outdoors? Well, that's the tie that binds.
And, yes, he killed the buck wearing Realtree. It seems only fitting.
Tony H.
