Michael's first trip to Saskatchewan yielded this magnificent 6x5 typical. The wide-spreading giant netted 170 1/8.
Like the majestic king that he was, he held his head high and his chest out proudly as he scanned his territory. When the buck reached the crest of the knoll, he paused, as if suddenly suspicious. Then he turned his gaze in my direction. He nervously eyed the box blind, looking for any signs of danger. I waited. He held his statue-still pose for what seemed like an eternity, and then he abruptly turned his attention toward the does.
I took advantage of the opportunity to carefully move into position to make the shot of a lifetime. The buck cautiously worked his way through a couple of saplings en route to the does. At about 60 yards, he reached an opening, paused broadside, and stopped. I steadied the crosshairs just behind his shoulder, put all my hopes and dreams on this one shot, and squeezed the trigger. At the report of the gun, he recoiled from the impact of the 180-grain bullet. As if being shoved, his massive body began to slowly sway from side to side until finally he fell to the ground. When I reached the spot where he lay, I gave thanks to God for allowing me to take such a worthy animal. I was blessed with a beautiful 11-point typical whitetail, a buck that would later make the record book. With a gross score of 176 3/8 points, he netted 170 1/8. Weighing an impressive 320 pounds, I knew this trophy whitetail would forever be a reminder of the bond Emaleigh and I shared in life and how, at least on that unforgettable day, we finally beat the odds together, for she was with me every step of the way!
2005 -- THE SAGA CONTINUES
In the early part of November 2005, I was scheduled to return for a 5 1/2-day hunt with Martin Dochylo, owner of M.D. Outfitters, and guide David Charles in Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan. Since that unbelievable 2004 hunt in Canada, my daughter's spirit has been with me on every other whitetail hunt. Now, in preparation for my 2005 trip, Emaleigh's room served as a symbolic retreat and storage room just it had the year before. With each visit to her room, I smiled and gently winked to remind her that she and I were headed back for more fun in the snow.
Accompanying me for the second year were two lifelong friends and hunting partners, Brad Carroll and Tony Hayes. I owe them both a huge debt of gratitude for years of shared hunting secrets and an appreciative hunger for the sport. Also along were two more recently made friends, Shane Harwood and John Osterland, whose presence made the experience all the more memorable.
When we touched down at the airport, the weather was unseasonably warm, with temperatures hovering in the mid-20s. But mid-November in this "holy land" of deer country always holds good promise. So on the eve of our weeklong hunt, the ground was covered with 3 inches of snow, the bucks were beginning to show interest in the does, and my anticipation was spiked to a fever pitch.
On the first morning out, I headed to the same familiar spot where I had hunted the previous year -- my "magic" stand. This elevated box blind is nestled among the white poplar trees, with its surrounding terrain pinched between a river and a crop field, creating a natural funnel and travel corridor for deer.
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