Full Circle: A Story of Redemption and a 10-Point Buck
There’s something special about the places that shape us as hunters. They aren’t just coordinates on a map—they’re where memories are made, lessons are learned, and the fire for the hunt is kindled. For me, there’s one spot in particular, a place that gave me my first two whitetail deer over two decades ago. But life has a way of pulling us away from these sacred places, sometimes for longer than we ever intend.
It had been 24 years since I shot my first deer there, and 22 years since I’d even set foot on that hallowed ground. The spot wasn’t lost to time—we chose to leave. Someone else decided to lay claim to it and we walked away. My dad assured me that we would find new spots, and we did. But in my heart, the memories from that place stayed sharp: the crisp air, the thrill of the hunt, and the bond I shared with my father in that very spot.
For years, I wondered if I’d ever return. The thought nagged at me like an unfinished chapter in a book. Life moved on—different hunts, different places—but that spot stayed with me. Finally, after 22 long years, I happened upon that spot again. Initially I would say it was by accident, but looking back, I think my feet knew exactly where they were leading me.
Returning to the Roots
Walking into that area again was like stepping into a time machine. The landscape was familiar but different, like an old friend who’d aged a bit but was still unmistakably themselves. The memories hit me with every step: the knob where I’d sat with my dad, the bottom the deer funneled into, the spot where we laughed and celebrated my first success as a hunter.
But this wasn’t just a stroll down memory lane—it was a chance at redemption. I wanted to honor this place, my past, and the journey that had led me back here.
Jonny was outfitted with the 8” Elk Tracker HD (200 gram) by Irish Setter and KUIU Proximity jacket/pant system for this hunt
The Hunt
The morning broke crisp and clear, a slight wind but still, a stillness that makes you hold your breath in anticipation. I was sitting in a spot I had set up the weekend prior. It gave me a clear view of the area and I scanned for any sign of movement. Time passed slowly, as it always does when you’re waiting on a buck.
And then, a twig snapped in the swamp, and I heard walking. In a moment, as if the past and present collided, he stepped out—a beautiful 10-point buck. My heart raced, just like it had all those years ago. I steadied myself, took a deep breath, and squeezed the trigger. The shot was clean, and I knew the first shot had done its job.
As I approached him, the moment hit me like a flood. This wasn’t just about harvesting a deer—it was about closure, about reclaiming something that I had lost, and about reconnecting with the roots of my hunting journey.
A Moment of Reflection
Kneeling next to that buck, I couldn’t help but think about my dad. It felt like he was there with me, just like he was all those years ago. I called him and sent him pictures and he shared in my excitement from his deer stand. The place, the hunt, the memories—it all came full circle.
Redemption isn’t always about righting a wrong. Sometimes, it’s about revisiting the places and moments that shaped us, and finding a way to honor them. That 10-point buck wasn’t just a trophy—it was a symbol of perseverance, respect, and the enduring power of the outdoors to heal and reconnect us to what matters most.
For me, this hunt wasn’t just another day in the woods. It was a second chance to walk back in time, reclaim a piece of my past, and create a new memory that will stay with me forever.
Sometimes, you really can go “back” again. And when you do, the rewards go far beyond the harvest.
Disclosure: Elk Tracker Boots were provided by Irish Setter for testing for this hunt.
