Finally found time to share my story. Sorry for the long post.

The story of my path crossing with this bucks actually started on Halloween night. While taking my young men out for trick or treat, we had a pretty nasty front come in with some high winds, freezing rain and some snow. Konner who was due up to bat the next morning told me that he did not want to go hunting if it was going to be cold and rainy. It kind of surprised me because Konner is an awfully competitive creature. Ever since my oldest son Karter killed his first deer during youth season, Konner has been on a mission to outdo his big brother. So that next morning I woke early and asked Karter if he wanted to go since Konner didn’t want to. “No” he said. He wanted to sleep in. Well, I was already up, and I had only been out hunting by myself a time or two this year, so I was going, kids or no kids. Mid 30 degree temps, and 20+ mph gusts that morning made me grab my climber before I left. My plan was to sit in a deep draw to try to stay out of the wind.
As darkness became daylight, I found myself perched in a poplar tree surrounded by a couple small maple trees that provided a little cover. I had a small stream behind me to help conceal some noise if needed. I was actually feeling pretty good about it. After all, I have killed my two biggest bucks, the last two years off this very farm. Actually within a couple hundred yards of where I was sitting that morning. With enough light that I felt comfortable releasing an arrow in, I starting tipping a can call. Within two to three minutes, I had a small six pointer looking straight up at me in the tree. So much for good cover in the tree I thought to myself. If this little guy picked me off that easy, then it will be very tough for me to get a shot at an older deer.
I was rattling fairly often that morning, it had been working. I had seen three bucks by 8:30 that morning. One was a really decent 10 point that I still wonder why I didn’t shoot. Time went by and I had not seen anything for a while. 10:00 rolls around and I am thinking about all the things I could be getting done at home. A little while longer I thought. Then just a few minutes later, I see movement to my Northeast. About fifty yards out and heading directly towards me. I couldn’t quite tell what it is. I knew it was a deer, but couldn’t tell exactly how big. Then he finally cleared a beech tree and I saw him. I saw him in all his glory. He had his head up walking thru the woods as if he owned it. My first thought was that I have waited a very long time for this opportunity. My second thought was, don’t screw it up. The deer stopped at a scrape that had already been visited by two other bucks this morning. As he was marking his spot, I placed my 30 yard pin on the vitals. I still remember thinking as I was drawn that I will remember this shot for a long time, so make sure it is a good memory.
The shot looked a hair high, and I didn’t think it passed thru. Panic almost set in. Was it too high? Why didn’t it pass thru? I was pretty sure I saw him go down, or did I? I didn’t hear him crash. Oh my, what have I done? My mind was racing. A call to a great friend calmed me down quite a bit.
I climbed down as quietly as I could with a climbing tree stand. I will go over and check the impact site I told myself, then form a game plan from there. I get to the scrape and there is my glowing nock attached to a blood soaked arrow. How I could not see that from the tree stand, I still do not know. So I did get the pass thru. Blood everywhere! I am feeling much better at this point. An easy tracking job that lasted 50 to 60 yards led me to my buck. A quick prayer, short drag, and phone calls to my buddies capped off an amazing morning.
It has been a year that I will not forget, ever. I am a very blessed man. I was with Konner who is six years old, take a great long beard the last weekend of turkey season. I was in a tree stand with Karter, my eight year old when he put a great shot on a doe during youth season. These kids never cease to amaze me.
Thanks for taking the time to read.

Konner and his spring gobbler


Karter with his first deer.



And finally my 2014 buck

WOW!! Congrats man, and thanks for sharing your story. A very good year indeed!

Awesome!

congrats

Nice buck, but the kids pictures are what it's all about.

Great deer! And awesome job with your kids!

Great year indeed!
Congrats on a beauty of a buck!

Good job! Three great memories for all involved

Very nice buck, congrats. h.h.

Great Buck!

Great story...thanks for sharing

Stellar....

Really nice buck, you've had a great year. Congrats to you all.

Great deer EB even a greater story to a great year... Congrats

Heckuva buck!

Really nice buck ebrown, Congrats!

Congrats E, great buck, definitely be hard to top this year, but it sure will be fun trying.

Love those brow tines and the hole in the horn. Nice job!

Great buck.
Great story.
Congrats!

Thank you everyone for the very kind words! Really appreciate it.