Chris Straub of Cloverdale killed this great nine-pointer on Monday while hunting on private land (in Botetourt County) with his uncle, James Firebaugh.
This is Straub's first buck and his uncle reported that it came after his nephew endured a frustrating season last year.
While growing up in rural Southern Oregon, Mark Taylor developed a passion for the outdoors while he and his younger brother tagged along with their father on fishing, hunting and camping adventures.
Graduating from Northwestern University in 1988, Taylor spent four years as an officer in the U.S. Navy based in Norfolk before moving into journalism.
After five years writing about the military for a Norfolk-based publishing company, he became the outdoors editor at The Roanoke Times in 1998. He lives in Roanoke with his wife and twin daughters.
Congratulations Chris on a Beautiful Buck!
and last years frustrating season will only make this season´s success much sweeter. I hope there are may more big bucks out there waiting for you!
Comment by Ralph Barton — November 7, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
Chris
Do you have any pointers on how to get buck like yours?
Bravo Zulu!!
Comment by Static Lines — November 7, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
Mark,
Its ben a while since I sent you any mail. I am sorry to learn that the "RT" has readers that think we should not teach our youth to shoot and hunt. Well I guess its okay for them to play violente video games and learn how to kill people instead.
I pleased that DGIF is offeing our young people more opportunities to become interested in the outdoors. God placed wildlife on this earth for several reasons. The most important was to be used as a food source. The last deer I watched last evening was just as beautiful the first deer I watched at sunrise yesterday.
In teaching our youth how to hunt we teach them how to feed themselves. Most Americans think food comes from the store or a burger joint. Our young hunters are learning to exist without the government's helping hand. I hope that DGIF will expand youth hunting days. A day afield is better that a day with a video game.
Congratulations to all of the young hunters who have enjoyed their first hunts with parents or grandparents this fall. Keep positng the pictures and stories of these young hunters.
--Great to hear from you, Al. Thanks for taking the time to comment. mt
Comment by al milton — November 8, 2009 @ 8:02 pm
Dude I've been down that road! Seems like my first 3 years was frustrating as crap. But I'm getting wiser as a hunter/predator and it has and will happen to us all.
Way to hang in there Chris and congradulations on a fine looking buck!
Comment by J.R. — November 10, 2009 @ 4:11 am