I had every intention of heading out this morning for the annual Thanksgiving Day hunt, but I just didn’t feel up to it. After all of my tests at the doctor yesterday I couldn’t muster up enough strength to get out there and get at it. It was a nice morning and I was somewhat disappointed to be at home.
Since we had an early dinner (actually lunch) I headed to the woods to get a camera that I had put out in October. As I headed up the mountain I realized that I just didn’t have it in me. I had to sit on a rock and rest for a while. Between the mental stress of dealing with everything that has transpired and being exhausted from almost three weeks of non-stop hunting I’m just worn down.
I figured I would see more tracks with the fresh snow and was somewhat disappointed when I only cut a few sets of them. When I got to my camera I unlatched it only to find out the batteries had quit working at some point in time. After looking a little more closely I saw that it was only a few days since it last worked.
To my surprise I had only one deer in the pictures. It was a huge doe which I had pictures from earlier in the year. She must make her home right in that general area.
It seemed like the longest walk I’ve had in years today. Unfortunately that’s just the way I feel right now.
My good buddy Jeff Smith got to experience something today that he will never experience again. He’s on top of the world and I’m sure he’ll remember it as long as he lives. His daughter Braydin killed her first buck today. Being on Thanksgiving Day I’m sure the actual day will never be forgotten. I’m sure it was an amazing event to be a part of. There’s nothing more special than sharing a moment like that with your child or with your parent. It’s something that only hunters can relate to. Oh, I must say that I’m really impressed because Braydin must be able to shoot a gun a little more accurately than her father. He has led us on some adventures over the year from his erratic gunfire but that’s why we love him.
Here’s a picture of Braydin’s first buck and a few we have killed on Thanksgiving Day over the years.
Braydin's first buck. Way to go girl!!!
I killed him on Thanksgiving Day when I was 17. He was on a dead run.
Rob and Dad with dad's Thanksiving buck. The Blizzard Buck.
Smitty (Braydin's dad) making us proud.