Dan visited the Dos a couple of months ago after a referral from www.bowsite.com. We really enjoyed his visit and listened to many stories about him and his wife who passed away in 2007. It was very obvious that Dan truly loves his wife and misses her greatly. Their relationship is a pure example of true love! To honor Kathy and her memory, we want to share a story sent to us by Dan.
Shared Encounter by Dan Collins:
One of my favorite hunting memories took place in October of 2000. That summer my wife of 36 years decided to take up archery so we could spend more time together. I have always been an avid hunter and many times Kathy had gone along but never as a hunter. During the summer we spent many hours together practicing with our bows to be ready for the upcoming season.
Kathy and I were hunting on our land in northern Wisconsin, she was sitting on a cutoff stump with her back up against a huge oak tree about four feet off the ground (she didn’t like heights). I was in a tree stand about 75 yards away. She wanted me within sight her first time in the woods. The woods were golden with fall colors and the night air was cool. Anyway, during the last hour a beautiful racked buck made his way into the woodlot and fed on the many acorns in the area. He spent about 45 minutes feeding near our stands just out of bow range.
At dark I climbed down and Kathy and I met on the old logging road running between our stands. We were both shivering, partly from the chill in the air but mostly from the close encounter with the buck. We talked of the great hunt all the way back to our cabin…Kathy was hooked.
After that Kathy and I shared many hunts in Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming and of course Wisconsin until the ravishes of Lou Gehrigs disease took her from me in June of 2007. She will always be my favorite hunting partner.
Dan~We enjoyed our time with you and enjoyed the stories…we know that Kathy is looking down from heaven and enjoying each and every hunt right along side you. You were very blessed to have such a wonderful woman as your wife…God bless.