What Friends Are Far

With MS bow season opening today (Oct.1 2022), what better way to place an interesting bow hunt by my dear friend and fellow minister, Rev. Mark McCool from Ocean Springs MS.

Mark and I go way back and even shared a rifle hunt together in Bethany MO. back in 2005.

Let him tell you in his own words the excitement he had in last month's high fence hunt right here in MS:

In June of this year (2022), I received a phone call from TJ Neal, a dear friend and manager of Gaddy Farms in Long Beach Mississippi, which is a high fence hunting and breeding ranch.  He had called to see if I would be interested in helping do a bow only “management hunt” for does at Gaddy Farms. Needless to say, I was up for the task and just needed to know when. So we marked a date on the calendar and looked forward to the day!

On August 29, 2022, I arrived at Gaddy Farms only to be surprised that this was not a management hunt, but rather a trophy hunt that was being gifted to me from owner and friend, Dr. Donald Gaddy, because I did not get to hunt at all during 2021 due to some severe health issues I had that year. 

That afternoon after my arrival, TJ and I got prepared and set up in a blind on the downwind side of  a feeder we targeted, but after a long wait and seeing the stags did not come in, we decided to do a stalk. Now, even with a high fence operation, to stalk a red stag with a bow is no easy feat. 

We had set our sights on a 8x8 we picked out among the herd and did our best to get into bow range for an ethical shot. After several attempts and close calls, we were finally able to close the distance to a 48 yard opportunity.  

I knew that window of opportunity was not going to last but a short moment, so I quickly drew my bow and settled into my shot, and as my pin touched the spot I was aiming I shot and got a good pass-through shot. We watched him as he ran with the herd and we backed out to give the stag time plenty of time to expire. 

Later, after a short tracking job, we eased up to where the big stag lay and to the sight of his elegant horns protruding through the tall grass. 

It was great feeling to know I had been able to achieve another hunting goal in my life, and thankful too, because it came together due of the kindness of good caring friends who wanted to share in helping me accomplish that goal of harvesting a trophy red stag that ended up scoring roughly 300 inches.

It was an incredible hunt and a lasting memory I will always have  of time well spent with friends, doing what we love to do, and celebrating a successful hunt together. 

The beautiful thing about this story is that this hunt was not only a special gift and the chance to harvest a beautiful bucket-list red stag, but the joy of the gift of friendship and what that means when we reach out to one another. 

Thank you Mark for sharing with us the thrill of a unique bow hunt on opening day of deer season.

That's what friends are far.

God bless you and God bless America.