10/10/2026
Tracks like this one right here, no matter how few and far between they may be, make every sleepless night, every ounce of exhaustion, every sacrifice, and every bad encounter we have along the way absolutely worth it.
This is a memory I will cherish forever.
Tracks like these take me right back to my very first deer and remind me of every other first deer I’ve been blessed and privileged to be a part of. This kind of stuff is just good for the heart and soul.
And to think, I almost passed on this one.
The day before, I’d spent roughly 10 hours on the road, round trip, running two tracks that pretty much kicked me in the gut. By the time I finally got home, I was running on fumes. After crawling into bed around 6 a.m., I’d pretty much made up my mind that I wasn’t taking another track that morning. Any calls that came in, I was planning on passing along to somebody else.
But then the phone rang, and wouldn’t you know it, this deer was just 2.93 miles from my front porch. Of all the places I could’ve been called to, it was practically in my own backyard. Tell me God wasn’t working that morning!
And I’m so thankful I answered that call.
KB was an absolutely awesome kid. Outgoing, personality plus, and just one of those kids you can’t help but enjoy being around. Getting to meet him was a privilege in itself. Getting to recover his deer was an even bigger one.
And most importantly, congratulations, KB, on your very first deer! I hope this is just the beginning of a lifetime of unforgettable memories in the outdoors. I can promise you one thing, young man, this is a memory neither one of us will soon forget!
I’ll never forget my dad swimming the river to recover my very first deer. Never in a million years would I have imagined that 33 years later, I’d find myself swimming a river for another kid’s first deer. But God has a way of putting us in the right place at the right time, and I’m so thankful He gave me the opportunity to pay that forward. It’s amazing how life has a way of coming full circle. I wouldn’t trade either of those experiences for anything in the world.
This right here is what makes what we do so special. Some may call it a hobby, but for me, it’s so much more than that. It’s a passion. And I can’t imagine anything more rewarding than being able to do something I love while helping create memories that will last a lifetime.
We get to spend our time outdoors, surrounded by God’s creation, sharing in some of the most unforgettable moments in people’s lives. And every once in a while, we’re blessed with a track that touches our hearts just as much as it does theirs and reminds us exactly why we do what we do.
On the drive out, I couldn’t help but think back on this season so far. It’s barely gotten started, yet I’ve already been blessed with one rewarding track after another. Tracks that have touched my heart, memories I’ll carry forever, and experiences I wouldn’t trade for anything.
And I found myself wondering, what have I ever done to deserve blessings like these? The truth is, I was completely and utterly humbled by God’s grace. Here I was, being blessed with one unforgettable experience after another, and I couldn’t help but wonder why I was so fortunate. All I could do was thank Him, over and over, for allowing me to be a small part of these moments.
And I ain’t gonna lie, somewhere along that ride out, the waterworks might’ve started flowing a little bit.
And this right here, ladies and gentlemen, is where I find God.
KB and Shiloah Burbage, thank y’all from the bottom of my heart for allowing Rip, Bo, and myself the privilege of playing a small part in such an unforgettable moment. It’s a memory I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life, and I’m forever grateful that we got to share in it.
