Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

Guys....I feel humbled beyond description. I felt like you guys were living my last 14 or so hours with me....and I sincerely apprecaite all of the encouragement.....well-wishes....and congratulations. This has NOTHING to do with me.....this is about the deer....and in this instance, YOU GUYS.

At 42yrs old....I've had this get to me like I didn't think possible (my last week+). Ihonestly was an emotional wreck last night and this morning. Why does this affect us, so????? If it ever stops.....well....I hope it never does. We need to be cognizant of the consequences and the POSSIBLE outcomes when we loose our arrows.

I want to thank all of you for NOT jumping down my throat....which would have been easy to do. I will NEVER, EVER take anything in this thing we do for granted, again. I'm a grown man....and I grew up a little more in the last 11 days.

Again.....I cant express how much you guys have helped me in the past.....but ESPECIALLY in these past days.

Thank you....

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

I'm just glad you got that monkey off your back. I know this humbling caused by HNI members that you speak of. If you were to read my latest journal entry, I make mention of exactly that.

It's always amazed me, how sitting in front of a computer monitor and typing words at each other, that friends can be made this way.

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

Amen, Mobo.

I appreciated your words you typed, last night and this morning.

Thanks, pal.;)

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At one time or another we will all need it. What goes around will hopefully come around to all that deserve it. No better brotherhood then this one

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Side by side thru thick or thin thats what a brotherhood is all about.Again CONGRATS Jeff !!!

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Eventhough I am rather new I've been trying to make my voice heard around HNI. I enjoy being here with all of ya'll. I'm glad you were able to get your deer. Everyone was rooting for you! I know we would all show the same for any member that so needs it. Keep it up guys!!;)

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

Fortunately Jeff, your season comes in early. You benefit from those of us that wish we could be out there. So yeswe are encouraging...sadly if these things were to happen in mid Oct (and mark my words they will to someone) The board, as a whole,becomes far less tolerable and less, let's say, forgiving.

It happens every year...this one will probably beno exception.

Hopefully I'll be wrong..maybe through some of the get-togethers, phone calls, and hunting trips and e-mails,we've all grown some, perhaps, that guy who hits one in October and has some trouble with the recovery or lack of a recovery, wil recieve the same compassion..does he deserve it any less?

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

No he doesn't, GR8. I can tell you that before this season....I had a MUCH different view of people who shot and lost deer. I confessed to Rob on the phone, earlier.....that I was on my last little walk-thru.....when I came upon this doe (although I probably would have talked myself into a "little" more searching).

I always thought people were doing something wrong when they lost an animal. I'll have WAY more patience for those stories, now......but I'll be right there with everyone else to make sure (encouragingly) they're at least going about the search and recovery in the best suitable manner.

I honestly never thought I could have the week I've had. I'm drained. I'm out of the woods for a few days.

I hope you're right, GR8. I know, on this end, I felt a lot of support....and I know I didnt want to let the deer OR you guys down. I hope the next guy (if there is one) gets the same. Rob and I talked about this very thing.

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

We got your back back Jeff! Also on a not really related note....have you seen the buck you are after lately?

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

Mike.....

Nope. I saw him last year on 9/12.....then I didn't se ehim again until the day after Thanksgiving. Right now....if I were him....I'd be eating beans! :D

When they get on the acorns.....I'll stand a chance. Until then.....I think my buck sightings will be REALLY sparse. I've seen 2 velvet 6-pointers, so far. That doe, this morning.....was the most beautiful deer I've ever seen;)

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

I know what you mean about the beauty of that deer. I had one give me a little trouble last year. Man what a feeling when I found her. We touched on this subject a few weeks ago. I think you understand how I felt a bit better now. The relief, joy, pride, etc. .... overwhelming.

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

i dont want to go into my deer recovery stories Jeff youve got what it takes, the definition of a true hunter.and by your attitude towards recovery you have personally changed me. you have actually matured me and my thoughts about deer. seriously, I lost more than one deer last year [&:]and after reading your threads i have thought back about my hunts and thought maye i could've put forth more effort, called a few buddys, instead of just giving up. So you talk about the support all of us has given you well i wanted you to know the change in heart youve put in me. Again, i say if this happens again gimme a buzz i wouldvemuch rather been there helpn you lookin than sittin here waitin on you.

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

Aaron....I honestly didn't think of that.....but it was also showing all the signs of a speedy recovery. Ya never know, huh?

You have my number. I can be at your place to help track/look/provide moral support in less than 1 hour. Thanks for your encouragement, last night.

To be honest, buddy......and I know this is gonna sound weird to many.....

I can't stand the thought of that deer......even dead.....knowing I'm giving up and knowing I'm walking outof the woods without her. We owe them our best efforts.

You've got my number if you need it.

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

Just read you found her, congrats :)

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This is definately why HNI is my favorite past time. Its like one big family. We share in each others happiness and sorrow. And for the most part everyone understands why. No one can explain it but we all understand. Its the love of the outdoors that binds us. "This is MADNESS!"...."THIS IS..HNI!" - 300.

yeah Im a movie nut[8D]

SteveO...Out:)

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

If I missed thanking anyone who responded in my original thread documenting my plight, last night.....it's an oversight that I regret.

I appreciate ALL of you guys.

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

Jeff and I know how we feel, we talked it out on the phone, so I'm just gonna go ahead and thank everyone here on the HNI boards as well. I was taken back and very pleased and humbled as well at all the support and I go to very view boards and those I've seen, nothing compares to the community we have here. Such a diverse group from across the States, Canada and now our European friends. I'm humbled.

We all don't get along all the time, I'd never expect that. We're all individuals but we're all bowhunters. I'm glad to see we all come together when the chips are down, be it moral support for a fellow brother who needs us or against the odds when the industry needs us. You all rock.

Rob out!

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

I think most people have experienced what you have (bad run) at some point or another. I know I have, sometimes things just don't go as planned or turnout like theresupposed to do. I've had deer hit perfect, right through the heart run further than I ever expected them to.

I once lost a deer (gun season) that ran across an open field of tall grass after I shot her, I lost contactwith her for a split second and she was gone. I searched for 6 hours that night and couldn't find her. I gave up till the morning only to trip over her (literally) walking back to my truck....RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OPEN FIELD where she was running. I guess when I lost eyesight with her for that split second she must have augered in right there and I walked right past her. More than once because I kept going back to pick up the blood trail time and time again.[&:]

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

^^^^^ I'm just glad we didn't have to see BigJ's pic again! ;)

He's getting as much "airtime" as RD in the treestand!

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

LMAO, man at times you all come up with some good one. I'm lucky I wasn't drinking something.

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

For someone to jump down your throat over what you went through would take a pretty big ego and be lying to themselves if they said they've never experienced a similar situation.

Archery is a humbling sport and even the best can run into problems. I'm just glad you finally got one and shook the monkey. What you went through can be very discouraging and even has made people quit hunting.

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And thank you too, GMMAT. And, BTW, when you're an emotional wreck like I am half of the time (Medical bills, car insurance, working 25 hours a week plus 5 hours of school, having hardly any time to hunt, uncle died, etc...), what I do is listen to "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. Not gonna lie, it makes me cry whenever I'm sad, but it also makes me feel better. :D

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Sorry...couldn't help it.:)

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BigJ, if you made that picture into a sticker for your truck window, I would buyit! :D

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I had to open page 3, I saw the user, I knew what was written, I knew I'd have a laugh...

Thanks BigJ for yet another almost spit on the screen laugh fest.

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Sorry for the Hijack GMMAT.....but one more time.

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I love it J..but it always makes me think of this!

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Can't ruin my mood, today, John.

Carry on.:)

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Which raises the question........Is there a bi-law in the bowhunter's handbook regarding steroid use?? :D:D

I'm just bustin on ya of course....I don't mean to imply a darn thing.....Please don't squish me.....:eek:[8D]

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

Glad to hear you got your deer Jeff. Did you post pics yet or did I just overlook them?

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

yaknow .... has anyoneone seen estrada and John in the same room together??????

Could it be????

HMMMMMMMMMMMM..................................... ........;)

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

Of course not. Just think of all the TX deer!

(Can I hijack my OWN thread?)

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Actually I heard there was a video out on the web...but...I digress..

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

No worries, I'm not mad....very used to those types of questions. Never took ANYTHING not even vitamin supplements. Just plain old hard work and dedication from about age 12.

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

dude .... I still have to eat dinner!!! Thanks for the visual![:'(]:D

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

No problem, we ALL need encouragement and what a great way to rally around someone that needs it than here!!! Pretty cool!!! Nation Wide help, free, just like prayers!!!! I remember losing a doe one year, it made me sick for days, I too have grown and matured in my opinions on that subjct. Stay Positive!!! Congrats!!!

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

I think I speak for the majority of us when I say that the day we stop caring/being affected by such things... is the day that we should hang our bows up for good. Okay, maybe that was a little too deep!

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

RESPECT!

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http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2327823

Page 8

RE: Humbled by the HNI Community....
 

I told Rob the doe came in with four other does and NO fawns. he asked if she had milk.....and I said no. But....if you'll notice....."something" had gotten to her, over night. She may very well have hadsome there. I'll never know. I didn't gut her.

The photo was taken before I touched her with a knife.