I saved a Tradganger's life this past weekend

[Jeff Holchin]

(The following is mostly true)

I don't usually brag, but since I just saved the life of my friend Bill (aka PABones here on Tradgang), I guess I'll share the story in all the gory detail.  You see, Bill and I had eaten more than enough turkey, stuffing and pie with our families in PA over Thanksgiving, so I had the bright idea of going over to Ohio to harass the populations of deer and turkey.  Little did I know then how dangerous this adventure would become.  We arrived at an old familiar area before daylight on Saturday and made it to the ridge where we had killed some turkeys in past years.  Hearing nothing on the roost and seeing  no deer, we split up and Bill soon found a flock of turkeys feeding on acorns and wild grapes.  He busted the flock and over the next few hours Bill and I called in many of the long-legged birds, but just couldn't get a shot.  We wished that we had brought the double bull blind, as drawing the bow kept spooking them before an arrow could be released.

We moved to check out a new area and spent several hours exploring.  There was a lot of buck sign and we jumped a few deer.  I guess we let down our guard, but a short nap seemed like a good idea...



Bill snores like a chainsaw, so I knew that our hunting was over for the day.  I had noticed that Bill had left his bow near me, which was almost a fatal mistake, so I kept alert "just in case"...



A movement behind Bill caught my eye, and my pulse quickened when I saw the size of the Ohio Tree Rat stalking my helpless buddy, so oblivious to the nearby "orange death".  Concentrating intently on the killer's chest and knowing that I had only one chance to save my tradition-oriented friend, I quickly drew my faithful old Brackenbury and released the Snuffer-tipped arrow.  The result was spectacular - the arrow connected just a foot from my friend's head, the fox squirrel fell into his lap, and he jumped up screaming like a girl.  I must say, it was a beautiful fox squirrel.....




You'd think that Bill would be forever grateful for my efforts, but I guess he is hard to impress.  He even made me buy dinner on the drive home!  It is so tough being a humble hero, but I did talk him into snapping this "hero photo" before we left the Ohio wilderness..



I hope you enjoyed my tale.  Good hunting to you!

[robtattoo]

Nice story & a great Skwerl, but I can't help thinking...You shot a snuffer tipped arrow, a FOOT FROM YOUR FRIENDS HEAD!!! That's about the dumbest thing I ever read.

[TexMex]

Originally posted by robtattoo:
Nice story & a great Skwerl, but I can't help thinking...You shot a snuffer tipped arrow, a FOOT FROM YOUR FRIENDS HEAD!!! That's about the dumbest thing I ever read.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

kool... great story

[Jeff Holchin]

OK, I might have exaggerated a little......on a few details of this particular hunt.......

[bayoulongbowman]

I would have shot you! a foot from his head...yep      

[insttech1]

Funny story...but I'd edit it before you get all the "idiot police" after you....

[DEAN]

JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU HOW SOMETIMES YOUR FRIENDS ARE JUST SO UNGRATEFUL

[DeerSpotter]

Did you eat the squirrel or Waste it.????

[Steve Crowl]

One foot ... sounds like plenty of room to spare. Even if you were having an off day you'd get to keep his bow. You guys need to lighten up and enjoy a great story. By the way >>>========> great shot.

[dan ferguson]

You shot to soon, I,d waited until he was munching acorns sittin on his head, but great shot anyway and good pics.

[Jeff Holchin]

I thought it would be pretty obvious (from the very first sentence) that I was playing a little joke on my friend Bill - we often kid about being charged and attacked by "pasture grizzlies", rabbits, squirrels, etc.  I wouldn't dare shoot towards him if he was getting attacked by a huge Ohio squirrel, I'd just take some great action photos and later claim that beautiful Morrison bow that I've always lusted after.

Relax everybody, just having a little fun....

[Kevin Bahr]

Thanks, Jeff.  I had fun reading it as well.  No disclaimers necessary, at least for me...

[Angus]

Ahhhh.....death from above!  Great yarn, Jeff; never turn your back on skverills!  I'm sure you guys recall the "just a little bunny" of Holy Grail fame???

[JEFF B]

WOW!!!! now thats        a foot from his head. did he check his pants?    i hope he did not get any chiggers.  :D

[geno]

the only thing you left out was the rain was in one eye and the sun in the other..    No disclaimer for me either  

[Widowbender]

What a friend you are.....          


>>>---David--->

[GingivitisKahn]

Lol - nice one and nice squirrel shooting - wherever it was.  :-D

[guzzi2000]

Aim small miss small. Sounds like you did your part. Great story and great shot.

[Chris]

Jeff,
You gave me a good laugh and I thought you were serious!

chris