an awesome end to your story...sounds like you are a deserving hunter..good luck on the new property.
I am going through something very similar this year, lost two farms I have hunted for 15 years and it feels just like you described it to me as well.
Hope that something happens for me soon, been talking to everyone I know...I have hunted the best years in this state for sure...leasing, houses in fields, etc have made it a crap shoot for finding and retaining private ground.. Congrats to you and to your old friend for lending a helping hand !