It is finally finished

After several years of work, and a lot of memories, I have finally completed the first draft of my book that mirrors the title of this blog. Times Well Spent: Ramblings from a Sportsman's Life. It contains 20+ stories, some of which have appeared on this blog. I am hopeful that I will be able to find a publisher shortly and see what happens. I will keep the progress updated on this blog. Stay tuned.

Alex's doe

I took my son's Alex 12, and Ridge 7, hunting and camping this past weekend. For my youngest son, Ridge, it was his first camp out and the first time I have hunted with both of them. (that makes a crowded deer stand)

On the first morning out, with Alex sitting beside me and Ridge in my lap, we were hunting my favorite spot and the spot where a few years ago, Alex took his first buck. At 8:30 am I spotted some doe moving through the woods, Alex quickly got his 7mm-08 ready.

"Alex, I can't see her anymore."
"Daddy, I can see her good, I have a clear shot, can I take it?"
"If you have a clear shot, take it, let me cover Ridge's ears."
"OK, go ahead"
BANG!

The doe ran to the left and we watched as she disappeared through the woods.

"I couldn't see the hit, did you hit her solid?"
"I had it right on her, I was shaking a good bit, so I held my breath and put it right on her shoulder."
"well you probably got her then, but we are going to wait an hour just to make sure."

"daddy this is the longest hour of my life."

We got down and went to where she was standing, and found a solid blood trail, after about 80 yards, we found his doe. A very nice mature doe.

Alex as insistent that he did it all by himself, so he drug her to the stand and we went to get the game cart to get her back to camp. After all of that, we hung her and he cleaned her and got her ready.

It was a great moment to be with my boys as they hunted together and he took hi s first doe.
This is what makes for great memories. I just love this stuff.