Memories of My First Time
While browsing through some pictures, I came across this photo. It’s yours truly with a nice six point, 117-pound buck I got back in 1989. I was only 17 then and had already been hunting for many years.
Finding the picture brought back a lot of memories. Seeing it, I couldn’t help but think about the first buck I ever took. I was in seventh grade and although the rack was nothing spectacular (one side had been broken off from fighting), I was on cloud nine. The buck was jumped during a drive along a wooded riverbank and I downed it when he was running at break neck speed across a ploughed field.
Although I’ve gotten many other deer over the years, that first buck will always have a permanent place in my memories. Just like a first kiss or a first love, it is something that lasts forever. Bigger and better things may come, but there will always be something special about it.
That first buck was the culmination of numerous trips afield and honing the skills that my mom, grandpa, and uncle had been teaching me. Not only was it a proud moment for me, but for them as well, as what they had been so kind to pass along had finally became realized. For what they taught me, I will be forever grateful.
Some people may look at a picture like this and see only a young boy with a deer. Me, I look at it and I think about family, friends, tradition, and the chance to carry on a proud hunting tradition that stretches through generations of our family.
hunting, deer, traditions, family, first hunts
January 9th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Hi Cliff
I read y0our post today.Brought back many memories.
To this day,I can see the look on you’r Grandpa’s face.He was so proud of you.
I know he is looking down,and being so proud,that we,his loved ones,carry on the hunting skills,he was always known for.
I spent many hours,hunting and fishing with him,you and your brother.
You know on every hunt he is there,in you’r heart.
He is still as proud of you today as then.
So am I.