Anything For A Buck

What a weekend! Friday found me hunting most of the morning, heavy rains had caused the river to rise and making getting to my hunting spot almost impossible. I did however find a high spot and hunted uneventfully. I went home and grabbed a quick nap in the chair while the rest of the afternoon was spent getting ready for graduation. After pictures and a nice dinner my wife and I headed to the Hump where I assisted in her hooding ceremoniously recieving her Ph.D. It has been a long road and I am so very proud of her! The alarm came early the next morning and I drug myself out of bed to go hunting. With the river still high, I went to some high ground in an attempt to keep my feet dry. I settled into my lock on stand about 30 minutes before daylight. A beautiful sunrise signaled the beginning of the day. I listened as ducks and turkeys began vocalizing the same thing I was feeling inside......the wonderful feeling of being alive and greeting the new day. About 6:55 am I noticed a doe slipping quietly through the woods to my right at about 80 yards. Shortly therafter I noticed a large buck on her trail. I took my grunt call and gave a series of vocalizations and the buck turned towards me and started approaching my stand location at 65 yards. I grunted with my mouth and stopped him in a small opening where the only shot I had was at his neck. I placed the crosshairs on his neck and slowly squeezed the trigger on my 45/70. BANG! and the buck dropped in his tracks. I quickly reloaded and got down. I approached the buck, wow what a sight! I immediately called Dung to assist in getting the deer out! When we met at the truck, he asked me....what did you get a buck or a doe? I told him he would have to wait to see. He was not dissappointed. We slowly but surely got the buck out of the woods and into my truck. After checking the deer in, I went home to show Leanne and Mary Audrey. I found both of them still in the bed, I told Leanne that I wanted to show her the big doe I had shot, and that I wanted to get my picture made with Mary Audrey and the deer. She took her sweet time getting out of bed, while I was about to burst with excitement , but trying to contain myself. When Leanne looked into the back of my truck, my deer cart was covering the deers rack....Leanne said..."My word, that is the biggest doe that I have ever seen! I then jumped into the back of the truck and took the cart off the rack....Her mouth dropped open and all she could say was..."John Long.....Oh My God! The deer is a fine specimen...17 1/2" spread, 20 "main beams, 5 1/2" bases, 180 pounds, and oh yeah....it is definitely going on the wall! Thank you Lord...my cup runneth over!