Thirteen years ago Michael arrived in Paris, Kentucky. He had moved his wife and two children, from San Diego, California to Kentucky. Michael left family and friends behind in order to raise his 5 year old son Vincent and 3 year daughter Nicole in a safer environment away from the city with all its problems and distractions. Hard as it was to leave the beaches, sunshine, hiking, camping, it was a sacrifice made for the future of his children. To be raised on a Horse Farm was not a bad life for two children.
Well the time has raced forward and Vincent and Nicole are now attending Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington Kentucky. Vincent will be starting college next year. Michael lives in an apartment 2 miles from the High School. He has his business, Michelangelo Enterprises in Lexington and SharpPockets.com his website. His business sells Pocket Knives, Folding Knives, Fixed Blade Knives, and Knives for Hunting, Fishing and Throwing. This site also sells Law Enforcement and Self Defense items.
Michael was talking to his Brother-in-Law and friend Jim Gullet recently. He was explaining to Jim that even though he was able to camp and hike in Kentucky, Michael missed the thrill of surfing. The exercise, excitement, early morning trip to the beach, he missed it all. Jim suggested that he might try going deer hunting with him, because the sport shares many of the same attributes. It did not take Jim long to convince Michael to trying hunting. He purchased all the required gear and license and headed out to Jims Cabin to start tracking and to pick a suitable site for the hunt. Jim and Michael had talked and it was decided that Michael would hunt with a bow. Bow hunting would be more of a challenge and quiet. He has been shooting bows since he was 7 years old and an excellent shot. After a week of tracking and scouting Michael picked a spot to hunt.
Opening day for bow season came and Michael woke up made quick preparations and headed for his spot at 5:00am. He made one last gear check before leaving the cabin and to apply raccoon scent to his boots. Bow, arrows, antlers, doe scent, Buck Folding Alpha Hunter w/gut hook, water, everything seemed to be present. Michael arrived at his tree, fastened his climbing stand and made his way up the tree. It was still dark at 5:30am and about 35 degrees. He sat quietly at the top of his tree and while enjoying the quiet took time to catch his breath. At 6:45am it began to get light on his side of the hill. Michael could hear something moving towards him about 100 yards away but it was still to dark to see clearly so he sat and waited quietly. About 7:15am he could hear something moving around in his field of fire about 35 yards away. Michael turned very slowly and raised his bow and slowly pulled back the bow string. When his eyes focused he recognized that there was a small doe picking at Acorns and Hickory Nuts. Slowly he released his bow string and watched. About 10 minutes went by and the doe moved out of my area. This gave Michael time to realize his pulse rate was way up and adrenalin was flowing. At 7:45am he made some noise rattling his antlers to simulate 2 Bucks in a battle, then he sat quietly. At 8:15 there was noise headed in his direction. Turning in the direction of the noise, Michael readied his bow. Suddenly as if appearing out of nowhere there was a Buck right in range. All the excitement, the hard work to get to this point, it was all racing through Michael's mind and the adrenalin was racing through his body. He took careful aim and knew he would not shoot unless he had a clear shot. Cautiously the Buck raised his head to look around, maybe sensing something not right, then when he lowered his head the shot was taken. The Buck leaped, startled, and ran off about 50 yards across the side of the hill, then there was a quiet that returned to the woods. Michael waited about 30 minutes and then made his way down so he could track his first Buck. Following the signs he found the Buck lying under a large Oak Tree. Even with all the excitement of the moment, Michael felt a feeling of sadness for taking such a beautiful animal. This was a 10 point Buck, it was a beauty. Michael pulled out his Buck Alpha Hunter and went to work.
When Michael got back to the cabin Jim began to laugh. We usually go up the trail and load the deer in the pickup. You’re the first one to pull your deer all the way back to the cabin. In his excitement Michael never thought to drive the truck up the trail to load the Buck. Jim asked, “Was the experience as good as surfing?” Michael replied, “Surfing and Hunting are so different yet they both share similarities in that they both make a person feel very alive”.
Website SharpPockets.com only sells Quality Pocket Knives and Knives. Michael Foright started this website as a way to generate income to help pay for his teenagers to get through college. It has been a labor of love. Check us out!
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