As you may know my friend Mikel has lung cancer and his one wish of me was to take his son Zach hunting in case he (Mike) was unable to take him. Well last Saturday (10/20) I took Zach out with the Hunting Buddies and helped him get a nice 4X4 bull. This is not Zach's first elk but it is his first bull.

Here's Mike and Zach with Zach's bull

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/recoil_junky/IMG_0346.jpg

Here's Mike's reaction

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/recoil_junky/IMG_0368.jpg

To this

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/recoil_junky/IMG_0376.jpg

This was to be Mike's and my last hunt together, but hopefully the first of many for Zach and I.

As it turned out Zach and I did get to go deer hunting with Grampa Pete today (10/27) and Zach was able to get this nice little 4X4. Mike is now bed ridden and on morphine so he was unable to go with us.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/recoil_junky/IMG_0417.jpg

He's a very conciencious hunter and passed on a bigger buck ealier in the morning that was, as Zach said "moving to fast and I would have only had one shot at and it wouldn't have been a good one without a possability of a follow up shot." Zach is going to be a very good hunter. To be making "no shot" calls on his own at 13 says alot for the way his father taught him.

Semper Fi Mike.

RJ

Man, stories like that just tear your heart out.

Thanks for taking the young man and his dad on that final hunt for the father. And again, taking the boy for the deer when the dad couldn't make it. I'm sure Dad is well pleased with his son.

And his friend.

Good for you RJ. I am sorry about your friend Mike; looks like he will be leaving a lot of good in the world. Looks like some fine eating animals, and Zach has a good rifle - appears to be a Win Mod 70 XTR.

Those are the hunts that mean the most.
Too bad about your friend.

The older I become, the more important my children become.

Zach called me at 10:30 this morning to tell me that Mike had passed away . I went to his house right away to be of what ever assistance I could.

It's like Mike was waiting for Zach to get his deer. He's at piece now and he will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him and called him "friend".

Semper Fi Mike

RJ

Rest in peace, Mike. You've lost a true friend, RJ.

Take care
Jack

RJ,

Sorry to hear of your loss. Sounds like Mike did a good job getting Zach started off on the right foot in life and an all around great guy. We could use more men like him in this world.

Looks like Zach did a good job on those hunts and from what you said about him passing up shots, it sounds like he is a very smart and ethical hunter. I'd say Mike left you a good hunting partner.

My prayers are with Zach and his family at their loss. Even though it sounds like this is the best thing for Mike, it is still sad for those of you who knew him.

Wow RJ, sorry to hear you lost a good friend, but it appears you've also gained a great hunting partner as well. It's so cool that you were able to take Mike to see his son collect a great fall harvest. Those are memories Zach will have for a lifetime!

God bless you sir!

My thanks to you all from Mike's family.

RJ

Wow, what a great story. It really makes you take a step back and analyze our own lives, and realize what actually means the most too us. I am going to go home and give my family a big hug.

BigSky

RJ
Your are a true friend!! God bless you!! I pray you and Zach have many more hunts as I'm sure Mike will be there with you both!

RJ,

I'm certain Mikel's heart was both warmed and comforted by Zach's accomplishment and your demonstrated friendship. Well done indeed.

The story would surely make my demise a lot more settling.

I really don't worry about death from my side of things. My onliest worry is for my son. If I knew someone would take him hunting and shooting, I wouldn't mind taking my leave tomorrow.

I've had me fair share(well not really, but close enough) and have no regrets(no more than a couple hundred anyway), I just hope and pray that in my absence that my son will get his. I just hope that the gun laws don't deprive him of that right either.