Welcome back Sean. Sorry you didn't get a deer but like you said it surely isn't the most important thing about it. Bery glad to see how well your dad did and that you were able to be there with him to share the experience. Just imagine before too many years go by you will be able to include your son as well and have a multi generation hunt, I know my dad really enjoys when we are all hunting together and I'm really looking forward to my grandson joining th egroup and putting 4 generations together.

Congratulations to your Dad.

The time spent with your Dad will be a treasured memory in future years.

Biker

Super job for dad, must of been a ton of fun to hunt with him. Great pic.

Nice buck.  It sounds like you guys had a great time.  That's what hunting is all about. Can't wait to see the other pics.

Sean,

As everyone else has said, it sounds like a successful hunt to me ! Congrats to your dad on an excellent buck ! There is nothing better than sharing the hunt with your father, or family and friends, anytime you can.

Congrats again and I can't wait to see the rest of the pics !

Quinton

Congrats to you and your dad.  It is always a wonderful experience to spend time in the field with the one who taught us to love the outdoors.  I grew up antelope hunting with my dad in Wyoming.  I learned so much from him.  Now that I am older with a family and cant take the time or expense to go up there and hunt anymore, we go deer hunting over here in western colorado.  While we may not always harvest, it is a great experience every year just getting to spend time with him.  I am constantly reminded that none of us are not getting any younger and that every experience is priceless.  This year I found out it is just as priceless for our dads.  I shot my deer within one hour of opening day.  I spent the rest of the season doing my best to get my dad a deer.  Every time I set him up he would do everything in his power to make sure the shot didnt happen (ie: walking straight at the deer, making a lot of noise, etc...) just to make sure the hunt didnt end.  I think that meant more to me than I would ever imagine.  Every year I wonder if this will be the last time and that makes it magical but at the same time a little sad.  I am glad you got to experience a great hunt with your dad and if you guys do decide to come out her next year I will do everything I can to get you some info to make it a great experience for you guys.  Congrats again. 

You already know but it bears repeating that trophies of the heart and mind are as important as antlers on the wall.   That said it looks like a great whitetail!

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the differences between hunting east coast and west coast.  I haven't had the chance yet to hunt back east and stand hunting seems totally alien to me.  Can't wait to try it though.

I agree, that sounds like a successful hunt to me! Congratulations to your dad.  Speaking as someone that is hunting not too far away, I can tell you that is a great Vermont buck and no matter what the tape measure says, that looks like a wall hanger to me.  I don’t think that the taxidermist is exaggerating.  They grow a few bigger ones, but they are very few and far between!  So I think it is a buck worth putting on display and it is cool that you shared the memory with your dad.  In future years you can see that buck on the wall and remember the good times together.  Glad to hear that your hunt went well and as others have said sharing time with your dad is well worth the cross continental airfare. 

Nics buck. It must be great that you can spend time with you dad, I never got to spend enough time with mine before he went. You should really value your times with him.