I was blessed this October to be a part of what I consider to be one of most memorable hunts I have ever guided. I was guiding for Cristo Creek Outfitters and the hunt was simply booked as a management buck hunt for a couple of guys and a kid. Little did I know that those two guys would later add their dad into the mix.

When Mr. Dallas arrived, (2 days after his hunting party had arrived) we talked a little while and made a plan that afternoon for the next morning. I was chosen to guide him for his hunt the remainder of their trip. It didn't take long of being around him that I was to realize that Mr. Dallas is a dedicated christian man, a long time husband and an example father and grandfather. You see even though he had always ensured that his boys had somewhere to hunt and always had opportunity, he had never connected on a deer himself. His boys later told me he was always sure to put them in the best hunting spots so that they would be successful.

(You think I wanted him to take a buck!!!) So, the next morning, as the sun burned off the darkness of October 14, Mr. Dallas and I sat in the dark with our thoughts and plans, wondering would today be the day? Shortly after sunrise the first deer to come to the feeder was a buck we call CJ, a 13 point that scores approximately 180. Mr. Dallas asked politely if that deer was in his price range and I politely told him that that depended on if he wanted to expand his price range or not....LOL He said that is what I thought! Eventually more deer came into the field and sure enough out came a buck that fit the criteria for a management buck on our place. I told Mr. Dallas that his deer had just entered the field. He calmly and surely grabbed his rifle and stuck it out the window. I asked him if he could locate the deer and tell me what it was doing at that time. No problem. Deer in scope, wait for other deer to move, take the deer. Sounds easy. Deer were in front of his deer, then they would be behind his deer, but finally!!! the moment.

After 71 years, Mr. Dallas dropped him right there!

Later his sons asked him if he was nervous. He said, NO.
I said boys, it might cost me a tip, but I have to tell you that that old man was breathing like he just finished the 100 Meter Hurdles....!!!!

It makes me feel amazed and in awe of the sport we all share. That feeling of your first harvest, the anticipation of the right shot, the short breath and the instant shakes will never pass, not even with father time pulling on what years the good Lord has blessed us with. Mr. Dallas proved that to me and I consider myself blessed to have hunted with him.

Congrats to a family of hunters!! Passing on the heritage!!!

Great story; great deer; thanks for sharing it with us!

Great story Thanks for sharing.

nice!

Thank you sir for sharing. Great story

Those are the best kinds of hunts to be a part of. Congrats to you and the hunter on a great buck.

Great story!! Awesome that you were able to be a part of that

I always love reading stories like this. Bravo!

great story and memory - thanks