Malcolm Dykes: Hunt of a Lifetime

This week has been such an awesome week of prime-time hunting for myself and two great friends, Kendall Pittman and his cousin Andy Stringer both from Foxworth MS. 

Kendall had gone online a few weeks back trying to find us a big buck hunt on a working man's budget and in Ohio. 

The outfitter had only been in operation 3 years providing such a hunt and now keeps a full booked schedule and thankfully had this past Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday left open. 

The three of us loaded up Sunday morning and made the 15-hour drive and were able to arrive on time for an afternoon hunt Monday. 

It was a dream come true for the 3 of us and I myself had only been able to dream of such a hunt for a massive whitetail buck. 

With Kendall and I following a guide named Bob leading the way to our shooting house where we were going to sit together, Kendall just happened to spot this massive 22-point 191" giant licking a limb marking his territory about 100 yards away just inside the woods. 

The rest is history. 

I dropped to one knee and with the blessings of the guide squeezed off a shot free handed dropping the old buck in his tracks with an ethical shot. 

I have never boasted of being a great shot even propped up because I am guilty of buck fever. 

And free handed with a bad case of buck fever, I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn but wonders of wonders, the Good Lord must wanted me to harvest this magnificent animal. 

Knowing he was dead on arrival and not wanting to mess up any possible opportunity Kendall might have that afternoon, I encouraged the two of them for us to go on to the shooting house and go ohh and ahh the buck after dark. 

All I can say is when Bob shined the flashlight on this old boy's head and rack, my knees went weak and my head lightheaded. 

I dropped to my knees and lifted my hands thanking God for allowing me to harvest such a beautiful animal, the right to bear arms and my friend Kendall who could have taken the shot but preferred me to fulfill a 53-year wish come true. 

The next day in a rainstorm, Andy stalked and with the aid of his guide named Riley, spotted his big 16-point 178" buck shooting and putting it down in a briar thicket, an amazing shot in the least. 

On the last day with time running out I was able to walk behind Kendall as Riley eased us through big woods and more briar thickets to find this monster buck bedded down with only his massive white rack visible, a 32 point 216" non-typical, filming the actual shot and celebration that followed. 

Kendall also made an awesome shot having to shoot through thick brush. 

All three of our deer were put down in their tracks with ethical shots and all three were beyond 200 lbs. each and averaged between 6 and 7 years of age. 

Both of these my friends have hunted from above the Canadian border to Louisiana and from the East Coast to desired hunting land out west and all points in between for 30 years and both said this was the most exciting and rewarding hunt they have ever enjoyed together. 

And just to think, they invited this old man along!! 

The accommodation was first class, a new lodge to stay in overlooking a 30-acre lake full of smallmouth bass and other desired fish, 3 meals a day and when our deer were harvested, we the hunters never touched them again. 

This fine service skinned the deer and even deboned the meat preparing all for travel. 

The hospitality of the outfitter and their fine guides rival any I have ever associated with. 

Truly a hunt of a lifetime. 

God bless you and God bless America.