One Of My Best Friends Last Deer

[ciRe]

Here's a better picture of him. Taxidermist said that this deer head would have priority of being completed. When I took a 9 I shot a few years ago I had it back within 45 days. I'm hoping he can get it done by then but that's pretty rare.

[duckydoty]

So sorry for your loss Eric

[ness]

Sorry to hear that -- sounds like he was a big part of your outdoors experiences, and it must have been a shock. Not much consolation, but I think going that way beats the heck out of a lot of the alternatives.

[Greasy B]

Please accept my condolences. I have often wondered how the end would come. Thank you for sharing your story.

[Mac's Orphan]

So sorry to hear this - you certanily have my sympathy and condolences.

I would take some comfort in knowing that he was doing waht he loved to do - with a person he loved being with.

It's obvious from your story that he was one who was not about to let someone else do all the work and was going to make sure he did his part.

A friend of mine lost his father to a heart attack some years ago and they didn't find him until the next day. He'd killed the biggest buck he'd ever taken; a massive 12 point and was dragging the deer by himself. It was a good mile to any road over some rough terrain. They think the excitement (adrenelin) over killing the deer and trying to get the deer out was what caused the heart attack.

Again - my heart goes out to you and his family. Things can be replaced, but loved ones can't. Cherish the memories you were able to make with him and share those with any children in your family. They need to know what kind of man he was.

[Haris122]

Sorry for your loss.

I shot my first deer this year, and I too shot it in a rugged area deeper into the woods than I anticipated going. And even though I'm relatively young, and not in bad shape, it was a very exhausting process bringing that deer out. Think it took me around 5-6 hours over the course of two days to haul it out, and this wasn't a monster, just a good size spike buck. 2nd day I even just wrapped it in a tarp and strapped it to a dolly and it was still very rough going. A few times going up a steep incline while pulling the dolly, I was seriously expecting my heart to just call it quits, with how much it was pumping.

[Terrierman]

My condolences. You did the best you could. One of my best friend's dads died in the deer woods a few years back. For sure there are worse ways to go. Keep the thought of how his last times were here on earth. It will soon enough be legend as the pain begins to recede.

[riverhyker]

I am very sorry for your loss. I lost the father figure and the man that taught me to hunt and fish from the age of 5. I would have given anything to be there with him...it's great for both of you that you were together. I try to remember the things he taught me and when I teach another person the things he taught me I kinda smile and remember. He will live forever as long as you hold onto those times and through you while you are teaching or showing someone the things he taught you.

[Ham]

That's tough man. Sorry for your loss. I'm sure you'll need time to process it all, but there really isn't anything you could have done to predict it or stop it once things started. You did all you could. You should at the very least be at peace about that.