First, thank you all for your prayers and warm wishes for my family and I. Second, some of you may think I'm a jerk for not staying home with my wife,( that is certainly how my mother in law feels!). Others of you will understand my need to be in the woods. When I have a need to talk to God, well, there is nowhere I feel closer to Him than when I am out in the beauty of His creation.
I had a very strong need to try to find some peace and solace last night. My wife, the beautiful and talented Carie, encouraged me to go hunt. She understands. She said," You look like you need some quiet time, why don't you go to the woods."
So I got my gear and made the short drive to the hunting grounds. I didn't have a plan in mind. I just wanted to find a quiet spot to sit. I didn't really plan to hunt so much as just sit and try to quiet all the questions in my head. I wandered around the place for a while just enjoying the weather. It was a partly cloudy day with temps in the mid 60s and a very light breeze coming out of the south. I found a tranquil looking spot to sit and contemplate life. I have so very much to be grateful for and I was thinking of all these blessings as the afternoon turned towards evening.
After sitting for about 1/2 an hourI heard the commotion created by a sounder of hogs. I didn't have any plans of making a kill. I think I had a bow with me more out of habit than anything else. However the hogs kept getting closer and the wind was in my favor so I got up, nocked an arrow and went to take a look. I didn't have to go far. I came to a curve in the logging road I was on and could hear and smell hogs. They were close, very close. I got myself off the trail and behind a cedar. It didn't take longer than a few seconds and there they were. I picked a likely looking pig, picked a spot on it, drew, and let fly. The arrow flew the 15 yds. to the pig and struck true. It let out a squeel and the whole pack scattered. My pig went about 30 yds through some thick nasty brush before piling up. I had a very easy bloodtrail to follow. The 125 gr Muzzy Phantom did a great job on the heart and lungs of this 100-125 lb boar.
This is a bittersweet victory for me. I knew I would always remember my first trad kill. It will be with mixed emotions that I look back on this kill over the years.

Thats great!! Congrats! Time in the woods seems to help with a lot of issues, I hope things stay positive for you!

Greg congrats and this sounded like the perfect therapy pal.

As a SIDE note.....Congrats on your first trad kill.

On a serious note.....Carie sounds like an angel. I think she knows you well and loves you dearly.

In many, MANY ways Greg (though you two just experienced a tragedy).....you are blessed. You know this . God Bless.

Greg Im glad you could get out and get some quiet time with God and his creation. Nevermind your mother in- law, if the wife told you to go, she probably needed the same alone time that you did. Congrats!!

Bittersweet indeed. You will never forget that kill, for more than one reason. Congrats to you. God bless you and your wife.

Greg,

Congrats on the hog. I know exactly how you feel as I too am finding the woods the best place to recover from a loss. The journey continues. God bless.

A big congrats to you! Sounds like you have one heck of a good wife, keep her and your spirits up during the holidays this year, it will be a tough one for you all! My prayers and thoughts go out to your family.

Glad to hear it. Hope healing continues for you both.