WOW! AE,I must admit when I saw the length ofthe story the day you posted it,I couldn't read it because my10 year old son, who is usually by my side,onlywants to see the pictures. Finally got some time to myself and just wanted to say "thanks". Beautiful story! Excellent buck! I will be keeping an eye out for your next post.

...Whew, things have been busy here, now that the dust has settled I have a chance to respond.

First of all I am really humbled and overwhelmed by the generous words of my bowhunting bretheren here. I embrace both the critique and the compliments.

Davidmil is right in some ways,Hemingway I am not! Shoot, I couldn't even carryEarnest'sfishing pole!Other than reading some of his stories the closest I evercame to him was when I elk hunted solo for three weeksin Sun Valley Idahonear his grave site. His work and the paltry words I throw down on paper should probablynever be mentioned in the same breath.David, I knew it would not be your cup of tea and I understand that entirely. I feel it was a compliment that you even took the time to read it and respond. Thanks.AVietnam vetwith 80 + bow kills underhis belt; you are still the ultimate predator in my book.

There are a few people I want to specifically address.

Iowabob85,
you know me to well...I did take that picture by myself...and I did drag that cotton picker out by myself too!! Good thing he was on the smallish side (185 lbs dressed)or I would have had a heart attack...getting him out of that valley was not fun... As far as being able "to do it all", heh, heh, well, I am afraidthere are a few people we mutually know that would argue that point! It's the thought that counts however, so thanks.

Blodg,
It wasgreat to hear from you. I really appreciate what you had to say. I am always astonished when my words move someone to action...I couldn't even talk the kids into taking out the trash when they were gowing up.

Buckeyebuckhnter,
My buck is just a baby compared to the one you killed last year. I hope you kill a dandy again this year. Thank you for the compliments.

Shed33,
Judging from what I've seen you bring down the last two years in Idaho I think I should be learning from you! Wow! Thanks for such kind words. Youput me up so highon a pedestal (and I am even afraid of heights) that there is no where to go but down.I am flattered by your remarks and I do sincerely appreciate them.

MQ1shooter,
I don't even know what to say...We have a former Professor in the house??!! Oh my, I am going to have to watch my "P's" and "Q's" now. I'm just a silly hillbilly!

Chucker34,
You are a writer with a Masters degree in journalism??!! Oh boy, I am in way over my head trust me on that one.

What you two guys(MQ1shooter & Chucker34) said nearly caused me to faint. I'm not sure I would know a participle if it came up and kissed me on the lips. Goodness knows I feel good if I can remember how to tie my shoes! [8D]Being thatI amnot even inyour league in the writing department,I amhumbled by your high praise. My only regret is that myhigh school English teacher is dead. She may have died happy if she heard what you two distinguished individuals with suchrich credentialshad to say about one of herless than gifted students.I am sure she felt like a failure everytime I turned something in...

Thanks again to all who took the time to read it!

Antler,

Once again your humility and graciousness shines through. We can all respect and appreciate how you handle praise and criticism. I knowI am a better person just from reading this post.

Thanks again.

Troy

P.S. I still "selfishly" would love to hear some/any stories and see some pics from the past...if you ever have time to pm or email some, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again.

That deer is amazing, he has some great mass and tine length. Your story was awesom. Being a bowhunting addict, it was easy for me to put myself in the scenario and imagine the jolt as your heart jumped up into your throat when you saw how nice he was. Great buck, great story. Congratulations.

Shane

Awesome Buck!

AE....GREAT story! And an awesome deer also! I don't care what anyone says, that story pumped me up. Heck, I haven't killed anything yet this season, and I almost don't even have to go out again after reading that! (I did say almost )

Congrats!!! Great job!

Hey Antler Eater. You are a word wizard. What a story, what a buck. We need to post the story on the buck we got together. Guess who?

I just enjoyed your story too much, Antler Eater; I had to go back and re-read it. I think these are two of the best sentences I've ever seen written:

Congrats again on the great buck, and for penning such an incredible story.

Greg,

You sneaky freak how did you get in here?






It isn't the best picture of your dandy kill but it will be enough to get you started...

Give us the story there elkfreak, I know it is one I won't soon forget and it is a great one indeed!!!

Ken,
This is MQ1shooter's wife, Alison. First, I want to echo what so many others have said about the awesome story and beautiful buck. Thanks also for the kind words and credit you have given me in some of your posts. Greg always shows me them. It is very easy to be supportive of him with his hunting because he is such a wonderful, Godly man and he makes sure first that I feel loved and provided for and he is, of course,a fabulous father to Matthew. He has made many of my dreams come true so how could I deny him anything that he enjoys so much? Sometimes I do miss him some during deer season and I tell him and he will say ok, I won't go hunting tomorrow, get a sitter and we will go to dinner and a movie. I know what a sacrafice that is for him, especially during the rut, and we have a great time together and then I don't mind when he is gone a lot for the next couple of weeks or so because he makes it clear to me with his actions, not just his words, that I am the most important thing.Just a tip for some of you out there,but in case you haven't figured it out big bucks are nice but not as much fun to cuddle up with on a coldevening or morning.As Greg hasproven here often, he is no dummy! No offense to all of you but actually what I mind more than the actual deer hunting is all the time he spends on the internet talking to you all. But we compromise! It is a good thing that I have always supported Greg with his hunting even before we had Matthew because now I would have to be supportive anyway if not as a wife as a mother!! I predict that Matthew will be an even more devoted and avid hunter than his daddy. He literally goes nuts when he sees the deer. He goes crazy when we pass those "deer crossing warning signs"you see on the road. He thinks that means we are going to see a deer right then and he wants me to slow down so he can see it. Tryexplaining that toa 2 year old!!! Last night we pretty much had to pry his fingers off the antlers and drag him in the house kicking and screaming; he did not want to leave that buck. He was perfectly prepared to spend the night out there with his new "friend"!! Thanks again for your kind words to us both and hope you have a good rest of the season. Congrats also on that new grandbaby, Abby; I am sure she is beautiful.