Otto and I experienced a little Thanksgiving morning magic on Thursday.

A spectacular morning, coyotes howling, and a beautiful mule deer buck.

The two of us had put in a lot of hours and work looking for deer on the ranch the past few weeks, so we are both elated about this buck.

And this deer is special for two more reasons.

First, whenever I hunt on Thanksgiving, I think of Kim Montgomery. Kim introduced me to hunting while I was in college, and many mornings spent hunting with Kim changed the course of my life forever.

Kim was an incredible, one-of-a-kind man that had a huge impact on me and my life, and he unfortunately went up to the stars way too soon. I think of him all the time, and I am thankfully still close with his family.

Kim loved to hunt ducks and birds whenever he could, but his passion for hunting ducks with family and friends on Thanksgiving morning was something special. It was his day.

I always think of Kim a ton on Thanksgiving day, so for Otto and I to get a deer on Thanksgiving morning . . . well – Thanks, Monty.

Second, next fall Otto will be 10 years old, which means he can start hunting for the first time under Montana’s apprentice rule. As much as I’m looking forward to that, I’m really going to miss these deer hunts over the past few years with Otto as my wingman – there are times when I wish I could just press pause and not let him get any older.

Otto is still a kid – talking about mule deer one minute and Halloween costumes the next – and he’s also tough as hell. These hunts together have just been so special, and they are memories I will cherish until I take my last breath.

On Thursday night, we toasted the deer, we expressed our gratitude, and we ate its heart as our appetizer.

With this hunt and with this deer, one chapter closes.

I can’t wait for next fall – for the next chapter to open – but I also know I’m going to miss these hunts with my wingman.

Otto, my sweet boy, I truly cannot thank you enough.

I’m the luckiest son of a bitch on earth.