The opening day of firearms season in Missouri is special to me. I have had the fortune of spending some special moments with some people that are very special to me on opening day. I have also had some opening days that were full of wind, rain, and/or cold. Some opening days have involved the harvesting of deer and some have involved not seeing a single whitetail deer. Regardless, I try to always be in a field or in the timber with the hope that I will harvest a buck that will feed some folks and create a memory.
This last deer weekend, I got to spend some time with one of my best friends and my stepson on a piece of property that has been in my family for almost 100 years. It is a special place to me that I love to share with people that are close to me. We arrived at the property well before sunrise and parted ways with handshakes and wishes of good fortune. If truth be told though, my stepson, Collin, and I were pulling for my buddy Corey. Of course Collin wanted to take a buck and I wanted to shoot a trophy but we were especially hopeful for Corey.
Corey is a heck of a guy. He's the kind of guy that will give you the shirt off his back and be there for your when you need him. He never asks for anything in return and never complains about a single thing when things don't go his way. He is an amazing father to his little girl, a hard worker, and a good partner to his fiancé. Corey is also a passionate outdoorsman that loves waterfowl as much as deer and as much as fishing. He loves his country and stands up for what he believes in. He is an amazing friend as well. While he is a heck of outdoorsman, he had yet to take his first whitetail buck. It took me five years to take my first buck and Corey was headed along the same trajectory.
As first light approached each of us settled into our respective spots. We all chose to hunt on the ground with Collin and I in blinds and Corey on the ground near the edge of a field. We each had encounters before daylight. Sometimes with deer, others with coyotes, and all of us with owls. The morning crept along with sounds of turkeys in the trees and squirrels rustling on the ground. At about 8:30, text messages were exchanged that described a lack of deer movement. We shared a collective hope that deer would move later than expected and that we needed to stick to our plan and hold tight. That plan changed when the distinctive crack of a rifle report came from someone other than myself.
Collin messaged everyone to communicate it wasn't him. We both waited in suspense for Corey to message us. After what felt like hours (which was about a minute) Corey messaged the group to let us know that he had shot and that he felt like he had made a good shot on a buck. We knew that we had to give the deer some time to expire but the anticipation was gnawing at us. While Collin and I wanted to keep hunting, we also wanted to support our friend. Collin and I decided to end our hunts early so we could help recover Corey's deer. And honestly, I wanted to be present when Corey found his first buck.
We met up where Corey had taken his shot and followed a blood trail that lead to the edge of some timber. Corey had already done some investigating which made our pursuit more efficient. As we entered the timber there was a shared combination of excitement and hope. I like to think that I am a cautious optimist which means that the idea that this deer might not be recovered was always in the back of my mind. Thankfully, we spotted Corey's deer about 15 yards inside the timber.
It is easy to allow jealousy to creep in when one member of a group accomplishes something that you were unable to achieve. I've been there and I think Collin had been there before too. We all wanted success on that particular morning and only Corey had found the success that we had both hoped for. However, I am proud to declare that Collin and I were overwhelmed with joy for Corey. We were happy for what a good guy had accomplished and the moment that we got to share with him. I knew how Corey felt and Collin knew how Corey felt. We could relate to his smile and we could feel his joy.
Pictures were taken and field dressing took place. The deer was placed in Corey’s truck and delivered to a processor. The skull and antlers went to a taxidermist. Corey went home and Collin and I kept hunting. This deer was the only deer that was killed on opening weekend. While Collin and wanted the same satisfaction and adrenaline rush that Corey had experienced, we still enjoyed the sounds of the woods and the experiences that only come from being immersed in the outdoors.
Sometimes, nature gives gifts to those that it chooses. I don't like the word "deserves" because I think you get what you earn and the word has an aire of entitlement. If you log the hours in a deer stand or throw enough flies at a trout or call enough turkeys, you tend to earn the chance to put your hands on what you pursue. On the other hand, sometimes it feels like nature selects a "deserving" person that it blesses with a bounty.
In my opinion, Corey earned this deer and I can see why nature smiled on him. He is a loyal employee where he works. He sacrifices for his family and friends. He gives to others with his skills and talents while asking for nothing in return. He spends any extra time in the woods and on the water which I wish he had more of. Did Corey earn this buck through time in the field? You bet he did. Did he "deserve" this buck? Well, nature seemed to think so. All I know is that I am happy for my friend and can't wait to share more time with him in the great outdoors!
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