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I posted this on the original thread, but wasn't sure if anyone would read it as those kind of threads are not usually something you want to go back and re-visit.

If you didn't get to see the original thread I posted it below. This thread is the positive/things looking up side of the story.

I know this is Bowsite, but I have to share this. I'll try to keep the story brief.....

Previously I stated "I think I am going to dust off my gun and head back to the mountains this coming week and continue where I left off. Nothing like the smell of elk and pines. Chicken soup for the soul".....

4 days after I got back home, I got my chance.

ElkNut1

After returning home from the funeral, I worked for 3 days, and then had another 6 days off, but between getting there, setting up camp, coming back for church on Sunday, and heading back out, total hunting time was only going to be around 4 days.

We got in Thursday evening then spent all day Friday hunting with no sightings and no luck. (Although there were plenty of other hunters!)

After spending 2 weeks with my family back in Michigan loving and supporting each other, I knew what my heart needed was the solace and solitude of the mountains, where I could do some soul searching and maybe let my emotions do what they needed to.

On the way up the mountain that evening, I had a talk with the Lord. I asked Him if it would be okay if my mom got to see the adventures and good parts of my life. I also asked Him if it would be possible to bless the hunt with success, but if not, that was fine too.

It took 10.5 hrs to get him broke down and packed out, rolling back into camp at 5 am!

I don't know whether or not our loved ones can see our lives here on earth, but I'd like to think my mom got a front row seat on this one.

Very special hunt. Feeling very blessed and humbled.....

God is good...... All the time.

Stay tuned.... My dad is coming out next week, and has high hopes of getting on a good muley. I still have my deer tag that I am going to try and fill with bow, and my wife still has a bunch of tags that she might try to fill if she can find some time. Hoping to have some real quality time with my dad, and hopefully help ease his mind a little bit.

Regardless of whether or not we fill tags it's sure to be fun!

It amazes me to the day, how the Lord knows what we need, when we need it, and NEVER ceases to give it to those who worship him. This made my day. There is lots of good ahead of you in this life. Keep the faith.

God Bless brother. And, congrats on a great bull.

God does great things ... a story like this reminds me of the photo showing 2 sets of foot prints in the sand and sometimes just one set. You and the Lord walking together - then the Lord carrying you when you most need it.

I truely believe that "praying" out in "Gods Chapel" is much more rewarding than in a Man made Chapel.

It wont be long and there will again be two sets of foot prints in the sand .... maybe even a third set as your Mother also leaves her set of prints.

Heal well Justin.

For sure your mom was watching!

Congrats

Good luck, Robb

Glad I missed the pack out!!! HAHA!

ElkNut1

Dad made it out Tuesday evening. It is clear the reality of my mom being gone is really starting to sink in for him, and I was hoping to help get his mind off of things, and help him kill a good buck.

Wednesday evening we made it out and had some action with a group of does and small bucks, but nothing we were looking for. Thursday morning we got there early, and quickly got into a large group of mule deer in a crp field. Same story as before, tons of does and small bucks.

They had all but filtered out when I noticed that there was a buck about 800 yards out, heading our direction with his nose to the ground. I couldn't tell what he was, but I could see the sun glinting off enough rack to know we should get a closer look. We dropped down and quickly made our way towards him.

As we popped up over the knoll, the buck was now walking broadside close to 400 yds out. I quickly told dad I was pretty sure it was a whitetail, but dad was clearly in kill mode! He asked me if he should shoot, and I shrugged my shoulders knowing he definitely wanted to.

(Most of you might not comprehend this, I can't myself, but Dad has not shot a whitetail in 22 yrs due to a vow he had made to my mom to not hunt whitetails, because of the way it consumed him, and the time it was taking away from his young family. If my dad is anything, he's a man of his word, and had stuck to his vow all these years. Now that my mom is gone he said he felt free to hunt them again.)

Dad was having a hard time steadying his rifle, and wanted to use my shoulder. I was still thinking he was just going to get a better look, when the gun went off.

I found the deer in the camera just in time to see it go down! 382 yards off a shoulder and he hadn't missed! We quickly made our way over and found a respectable whitetail, dad's first whitetail in over 20 years, and his best buck to date!

Even though he wanted a muley, I could tell he was pretty pleased with himself and the buck. It would seem my mom is doing a good job asking the Lord to bless her guys with success!

I'm now heading out to spend some time with my beloved bow, and try to find a good whitetail myself. Hopefully my mom doesn't mind working overtime asking the Lord to bless a little more!

I'll keep you posted.....

Congrats!

What a great outcome for you and your family!

Mark

ElkNut1

I was doing my best to keep dad upbeat and positive while trying to stay somewhat focused on getting my tags punched. Had a buck and a doe tag, and wasn't going to wait for that order....

Saturday night I threaded this doe at 57, and dad tagged along for the recovery.

Saturday morning however, I had caught a glimpse of a buck that looked decent, but never got a real great look.

Sunday am was the quintessential November morning. I had no sooner got set up in the stand when I noticed 3 does feeding out to my left. About 20 mins into the hunt I heard a grunt. Thinking it would be another small buck I casually glanced up, but was pleasantly surprised to see the same buck from the morning before, heading straight for a fence opening 30 yards in front of me. I could tell he wasn't huge, but he was big enough for me at this point in the game.

He came under the tree to the right of the pic, and then began to walk to the left. I had the camera rolling, and got him stopped just past the dark bush in the left of the pic next to the fence line.

I freed my bow and bore down on him with my 30 yd pin. I was amazed he was still standing there watching me. I figured it was meant to be, and he had his chance. The shot felt good, and although it was a bit high, my angle was plenty steep enough and I got the goods.

50 yards and 12 seconds later this was my view.....

I then pulled my stands from this property. This was the last time I'd be able to hunt it, as they are now selling it for development. I have killed 3 bucks and 2 does off this place in the past few years, and have a lot of really good memories. Much like the passing of my mom I realize that time marches on.....

A bittersweet season to be sure, but counting my blessings knowing that "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8)

God has bigger plans for us than maintaining the status quo.

All of us will come to the end of our lives sooner than we expect. We should all hope to have the testimony and confidence that you have in your mother being in the presence of Christ for eternity.

I’m sure I will hear all about it from his prospective.

Thanks again for sharing

ElkNut1