Every once in a while we get to do something in our hunting trips that will stick with us for all our lives. This hunt happened to be one of those hunts.

My two close friends, Ole Olsen and Neil Severinson, made this such a special time. Ole, a Korean War Vet who lost his brother in that war, and Neil, a Vietnam Vet, are two guys I normally shared duck blinds with. They can cut it up with the best of them, constantly haggling the other as if they were cast for the roles in Grumpy Old Men. This time, it was the cottonwood bottoms of Central Montana.

I happened to be driving by Ole's house one afternoon and stopped in unannounced to see how his 82 year-old legs were doing. I asked if he wanted to go deer hunting. In classic Ole fashion he replied, "Sport (he always calls me Sport) I shot what will be my last deer, a while back."

I called Neil and told him that I wanted to get Ole out for one more deer hunt. Neil, being as good of a friend as you could ever ask for, volunteered to assist.

I told Neil the plan. I had called a great guy who I know allows some hunting on his place. The guy is a close CPA client. He told me to get Ole and Neil over to the ranch and fill some tags. He told me to come over a day early and set up some brush blinds so Ole could hunt the tight funnel in the creek bottom.

With that plan, I went about building a blind in the best spot I could find for shooting and filming. Neil brought Ole over to the ranch and we had two days that will cause me to smile until my final breath.

Ole had never been on camera before, so when the camera guy told him to "wait," Ole was having no part of it. That buck represented winter meat and Ole wasn't keen on letting him get away. Oh well, TV footage is overrated.

You can watch the hunt at this link - https://youtu.be/Qi5IhlJJNiM



YouTube Episode Here

I won't tell all the details, rather let you watch. I suspect when it is over, you will understand why I titled the thread as I have. Unfortunately, since this episode was filmed, Ole has lost his faculties. I stop by to see him and he has no clue who I am.

When the fickle winds of good health leave our friends, it is times afield or on the water that always bring the biggest smiles to my face. Thanks Ole. Thanks Neil. Good friends such as you are true treasures.

You are a good friend.

Well written and well done Randy.

I liked that video too. Transported me to a memory of an old friend, Wild Bill.

"Wild Bill" was my personal version of Ole. Bill was full of stories, had an unbelievable gun collection, was an active member of his gun club, incredible cusser, and has been missed since 1998. He suffered from Parkinson's and ultimately died of pneumonia.

I appreciate that you would spend the time, and effort to produce that episode. Friendships are the real treasure/ trophies of life.

My favorite part.


I'm glad you and Neil got to make that last deer hunt happen for Ole.
Sounds like Ole has two pretty special friends.

Great story. Love the old red checkered huntin' coat....

Excellent. Will be one of the best Deer posts of the year.

Two thumbs up for sure!!!!

Fantastic!

It'll be tough to top.

"Who's got my tag? Bleep, bleep, knothead."

You had as much fun as Ole and Neil and got it on film to remember the happiest of times.

Nice job all around, thanks for sharing.

Dale

Great Job! sadly we are loseing the past! the future not looking to great!

If that don't warm your heart then you might as well pick your burial spot

Good story

Good job Randy

Stuff like that is simply priceless. I love the story and I love watching your show.

The thread title is misleading. Those guys were having the time of their life! Good on you for taking the time and making the effort!

Randy

As always awesome video and one of the greatest hunts ever! Congrats on the lifetime of memories and making them with some dear friends!! Sorry to hear about Ole. My grandma is going through the same thing. Such a shame!

Just loved it. That will be me one day, having my son take me out for one last hunt.

Doc

Randy,

If (WHEN!) I make it 20 more years, I hope to have friends like you and Neil around to help go hunting.

You done good.

Geno

PS, dose Skandahoovians can cuss a bit, ya.

& it made for a great episode !

Great story and good on you for taking the time to set up a friend for a wonderful memory!

Great stuff there Randy, thanks for making that happen!

Excellent! You done good Randy. If anyone can watch that and have a poor opinion of deer / sport hunting. They aren't wired right. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Excellent job Randy. I really enjoy your shows above all other hunting shows on TV.

This brings back memories of my hunting mentors who without them, wouldn't have created the love for the outdoors the way I do.

Good job Randy!

We don't care about seeing the deer shot/killed, Its all the rest of the video that counts!!

Jeff

Kudos to you Randy. You deserve nothing but good things for making that happen.

That gave me a "warm fuzzy" feeling --- AGAIN.

I saw it on your hunting show sometime back.

Great time, great friends, great fun, fantastic memories.

My Dad and Uncle's have passed on except for 1. He's not able to walk far at all. Since 2012 I've been able to get venison FOR him AND glad to do it.

I have an 'old time' hunting pard that's still able to hunt on his own. He's 7 yrs older than I, we've hunted together for years since 1974.

I hope I'm able to do something similar for him when it's appropriate.

Thnx for posting here on the 'fire'.


Jerry

Great when a good plan comes together. Good for you.

Randy, again great story.

I really like going hunting with an elder person who might not have many hunts left in them. As well, I like taking a younger hunter, sharing the woods and some knowledge with them. This has always brought me a great joy.

Take care.

Grand story! 'Tis what memories are made of, for sure.

Thanks guys. It was all fun for me. I would do it again, every week, if Ole as able.

Best of luck to all of you.