The first snow and cold was right on time for the opening of buck season. It reminded me of days gone by when the winter weather always welcomed in the season. I have always loved getting out in the woods and enjoying the beauty of that fresh blanket of snow.
This year was special for me as we left the house on that opening morning. I haven’t had both my sons, Jimmy and Hunter, together to share the family tradition of hunting since my Dad left us. They would look forward to hunting their Pop Pop’s property, which was a special time in our lives. Jimmy was always much more into hunting than his brother, who sports the name. This is probably because he got a head start, so he had more opportunities to hunt his grandparents’ land.
Well, I can tell you without an antler of a doubt that I was the happiest person wearing camo and blaze orange on opening day. Spending time with my sons and my best friend, who has been like a brother to me, while enjoying the family tradition of hunting was a blessing.
Thank you to my brother Steve Sleboda, who is also the boys’ Godfather, and his wife Christine for hosting the hunt. Their daughter Maddie was also in the woods with her boyfriend Colton, looking for that elusive whitetail buck.
Dean Martin’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside” has been like Steve and I’s hunting theme forever: baby, it was cold outside.
As Jimmy and Hunter headed out on that snow and ice, Steve and I made a fatherly decision. I’ve been dealing with a back problem, and it was just a little too treacherous, so we opted to sit by the fireplace. It was the right call. We discussed family, life, and hunting seasons gone by. We knew Big Jim and Big Steve were looking down smiling as their grandkids enjoyed what has been passed down to the next generation.
In staying with opening day, someone actually got a buck. I got a picture from a good friend of mine, Bill MacInnis, and his 11-year-old daughter Ruby, who had braved the cold and windy weather. Their stick-to-itiveness paid off with Ruby’s first buck. What a father-daughter moment that will be shared for a lifetime.
When I later talked to Bill and got the details, I had tears in my eyes as he told the tale of the tape. I could feel his love for his daughter and just how proud he was of her coming through the phone.
They watched the buck make a scrape and rub on some trees at about 130 yards and then lost him. At about 3 p.m., he appeared like a ghost at 60 yards. Ruby took aim and dropped the bruiser with her Remington model 7 7mm-08. Amazing job, Ruby, and an assist to your dad! They would like to give a special thank you to LT and RT for their kindness.
The monster is one of many trophies recently entered into 17th Annual Webb Weekly Uncle Ron’s Monster Buck Contest full details can be found on page 51.
Let’s all be careful out there and enjoy this special place we call home together.
God Bless America.
