Dad's last hunt - Tribute thread


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This is a awesome thread!

My dad is 62 years old and I don't have any pics uploaded of him hunting or fishing either, but I'm telling you this thread brings back many great memories.

I'm 39 years old and started hunting with him when I was 12 or so. I always remember thinking he was like superman or something climbing the mountains without stopping to take a break and not even break a sweat doing it!

As the years rolled by and I was in my 20's I still couldn't figure out how he made it look so easy when it was rough at times on a guy my age.

Once I hit 30 he was starting to get a little slower, but still wanted the lead as we headed toward our stands and he would take a break from time to time.

Now, for the last few years he has said you go in front so I wont slow you down. I just tell him that I'm in no hurry and he needs to go in front so I won't get us lost. ;)

Many times I've choked back tears because I could hear him breathing hard and struggling to climb a hill, but to be honest there's no deer in this world that will ever take the place of time spent in the woods with my dad.

He still goes just about every time I do and I cherish every moment of it!

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Just what I thought I would be doing tonight..Sitting at the computer all misty eyed.

These posts are great.

Well my dad taught me a lot about hunting. I can go on and on. I can never repay him for spending the time he did with me hunting and fishing. The only way I can I guess is to pass on the tradition to my kids, which I am currently doing.

October 23, 1997 my father passed away while deer hunting. I'll never forget that knock at my door at 10:30 p.m. It was his best friend and hunting partner breaking the news to me.

My father had a heart problem for years. He was found laying down next to a tree. Remington 30-06 propped against the tree. Overlooking Conkling Brook in the town of Ohio, NY. I hope I can be that fortunate to go that way.

I wish I had some pics to post, but they are all older 35 mm. Maybe I can scan a couple in.

A day doesn't go by that I don't think of him and when I'm in the woods I know he is by my side. Now if he would just kick up a nice 10 pointer for me...

I'll never forget your saying dad, "Walk little, look lots". I'll try to follow that advice.

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my dad and I never hunted together but boy did we fish. Grew up with a flyrod in hand. We fished for bluegill with flies. I was always told guys that fish with live bait cheat!!!:) Well my dad is almost 70 and survived a brain stem bleed. (only 4% do) So he is a pretty special guy. It is nice to wet the line with him every so often!!

Great thread

nate

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...I'll never forget your saying dad, "Walk little, look lots". I'll try to follow that advice.

Teary eyed...oh yeah...

Man...I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who got that way reading these posts!

My Dad has those short little sayings that mean the world too. One of his favorites is "If you Squeeze-you Freeze"!

He's never had cold feet in his hunting career because he always bought boots bigger than his regular size so the warmer socks would still fit right!

Our Dads and those who taught us about the woods are Treasures;)

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Teary eyed...oh yeah...

Man...I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who got that way reading these posts!

Wow...How true.

My Dad never hunted and I am the one in the family who is the hunter. I did manage to have 3 sons who are all into hunting/fishing and the outdoors and successful hunters in their own right. The time I spend afield with them is the best times of my life. The youth turkey hunts here in NY have been memorable to say the least. I love lagging behind the boys with the camera taking pics all day long while they hunt. They hate it...I love it.

I hope to create the wonderful timeless memories with my boys, as you guys have had with your Dads.

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My father is totally unaware of this thread. Here is the kicker...he called me last night and told me to go get his Model 94AE 30-30 that we bought him for Fathers Day years ago and take it home, said he "won't be using it again". It hurt to hear him speak those words from his hospital bed, and I know he wants my son Blade to have it, but after I hung up the phone, I thought to myself, it would never be easy hearing those words, but wish it wouldn't have been during deer season. He did it because he wants me to kill some more deer with it. It just cuts a little deeper during the fall is all.....

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My father is totally unaware of this thread. Here is the kicker...he called me last night and told me to go get his Model 94AE 30-30 that we bought him for Fathers Day years ago and take it home, said he "won't be using it again". It hurt to hear him speak those words from his hospital bed, and I know he wants my son Blade to have it, but after I hung up the phone, I thought to myself, it would never be easy hearing those words, but wish it wouldn't have been during deer season. He did it because he wants me to kill some more deer with it. It just cuts a little deeper during the fall is all.....

:(Ouch...You know that he wants Blade to carry on with it though...thats got to be cool;)

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I've been keeping up with this post and I'm not really sure what to say. My dad is 73 and we have a special hunt planned for next year. Just the other day he said that his feet have been bothering him and doesn't know how far he can walk anymore. :( I'll be honest and say I've been bawling like a baby reading this thread because it scares the HECK out of me knowing that someday will come that he can't go with me. I just hope that he will be around to take my son out deer hunting for my sons first deer in a few years.

Ken, thank you for starting this thread. It is a very good reminder for everyone not to take anything for granted, and cherish every moment you get with your dad because you just never know,..... it may be your last...

Here's a couple pics:

TurkeyPics002.jpg

Oldpic.jpg

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i put a few pictures up im am lucky enough to still hunt with my dad and mom, but my grandpa is too sick to hunt anymore the top picture is the only picture i have with his buck on my computer. my dad killed his buck last year, and my mom got her first deer(4 point) this year with her crossbow.

s500011954_2873_6321.jpg?t=1225812618

grandpas buck

DavidsBuck_Nov_200717.jpg?t=1225812675

my dads latest buck

Picture095.jpg?t=1225812716

my moms first buck killed november 1st this year

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I'd post my pic. of my dad but really unsure how, but I'm also fortunate to still get to hunt with my dad. He took a big 8 this year. He's had me and my brothers in the woods as long as I can remember. I'm 29 and married but I still go hunting with him every chance I get...which is alot because I only live 5 minutes away. I'm very lucky for that. Its not hunting without my dad...or my brothers. It wouldn't be hunting without them. I'm not sure I'd keep doing it without either of them. I'll never forget the 1st deer hunt in the stand by myself...my dad 200 yards away. He always would walk me to my stand and make sure I got in safely. Then he'd shine his light on his hands and face and say really quietly..."kill a biggen" & I love you. My dad has never been shy about telling us he loved us. Every chance I get...I always return it too. Typing this really gets me sick & choked up to know I too will someday have to give my dad up to god. I can honestly say my dad was wonderful to me and my brothers. Growing up he'd spend as much time with us as he could. I hope when my son (who is to be born in March) gets to the age to go hunting my dad is walking right along with us. If god decides before then I'll be sure to pass along everything about my dad through me.

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