[Iowanian]

Cont.
We begin the 1/4 mile walk back to my truck, when brother 2 says “we're already here, let’s go look at this pond, walk the last draw down to the truck”. He crests the CRP ridge 20 yards ahead and I see him stop and snap to attention, he roars Brother 3’s name and snaps his binocs to his face, I know we’re in business as his arm pumps…We haven’t seen it, but we know its there…we’re yelling and running, One brother stepping on a failing barbed fence, as the other dives under it…The only thing missing is Laura Ingles, a shaggy dog, and theme music as you visualize the most enthusiastic, rejuvenated young men on the face of the earth running towards the Antlers now growing in our view. Brother’s who don’t do affection, or non-headlock physical contact struggle awkwardly with the celebration, firm handshakes will do…that includes summersaults, snow angels in the muddy bank of the pond and exhausted, hunters sprawling in the cool, dry slew grass enjoying a life changing moment. A phone call is made and within minutes a truck arrives with a box of cold beer.

We found the Buckasaurus. Bigfoot is dead. The Loch ness Monster of Iowania has
been slain.

We found the lifetime buck of my brother, who spent last year’s Iowa Whitetail rut in Iraq, on veteran’s day…moments after all hope was lost. He earned it…..we earned it with him.

Now, I’ve got a tag to fill, and only 3 days left to do it. The bar has been set high…and I couldn’t care less if I shoot one. Victory.

15 points,
** Edit after visit to taxidermist**....green score is 196 3/4, definite booner.....will likely see a magazine or two.