my 2008 season started out without my lifelong hunting partner my dad. even though he was unable to go the past 6 years because he had a stroke he was always with me. he passed away 12-27-07 a very bad day for us.my archery season was pretty eventful with seeing many bucks some offering shots some not. then rifle season came... i had shot a buck every year since 1994 and my dad had been there for every one. i hunted hard and was often drifting into thoughts of seasons past how id walk to dads stand after i had shot one to find him bent over a fine buck removing its guts. this happened more times than it didnt i found myself asking for him to help me get my 15th buck in a row only to go home empty handed well dad saved the best for my opening day of flintlock no sooner had i got in my stand and i was surrounded by deer having a doe tag and wanting to harvest a jerky deer i almost pulled the trigger on a fat doe but something stopped me and five minutes later my buck came from the brush only to find my bullet entering his shoulder dad sent him my way i knew it. i walked slowly to him shaking like it was the first deer i had ever gotten it was a small 7 point almost identicle to the rack that dad had got 25 yrs earlier on the first hunt i was ever able to go on with him it was the single greatest day of hunting in my life after i got him tagged and got pics with my son a bald eagle flew over i am not a very relgious man but i knew that was a sign that he had sent me that deer not a big one but the best buck i will ever shoot