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Friday, October 16th, 2026

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When a selfless stranger saved my opening day deer hunt

The author with his buck that he shot just 21 minutes into last season. He and his new friend quartered the heavy-bodied deer and packed it out post-pictures. (Photos courtesy of Joe Shead)

The headlight bobbing up ahead was not a welcome sight. It was opening morning of firearms deer season, and more than once another hunter had screwed up my plans. I hoped that was not about to happen again.
Soon, I met up with the hunter.
“Good morning!” he said with way more energy than any human should have at 5 a.m.
“Good morning,” I replied.
“I hope I’m not screwing you up,” he said. “I was planning to skirt this ridge, then pop up on top. But I can go somewhere else.”

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