Mindie VanBoxel

This hunting season has been different. We tragically lost our daughter in July, and I was unsure if I wanted to even hunt. Being out in the blind is peaceful for me, though, and if nothing else, I could sit out there and relax. There hasn’t been much out during daylight, and this guy has only been out in the middle of the night all season. I’ve had my eye on him all year, and named him “Big Daddy” back in early summer. I had prayed he would come out this last day of the season, knowing it wasn’t likely. I just wanted something positive to end this horrible year on. He walked out at 5:25, and I got a decent shot in with my bow, right through the ribcage. I figured he didn’t go far. I was so wrong. I have never tracked a deer for miles until now. He had resilience. My watch has me tracking him about 5 miles, down to the water’s edge, where I kicked him up and sent him back into the woods. Hours of tracking in rough terrain, thick brush, snow, and high winds. Finally let him settle back in the woods for the night around 10pm, and brought in West Side Wounded Game Recovery in the morning, and recovered him, thankfully. I have never shot a buck that went further than 100yds, and never one this resilient for being shot through vital organs. Much thanks to God, and much respect to this beast.