The last three weeks have been quite an emotional ride for me. Twenty-five days ago, I received the text message from Devon that read "BBD!". Last Sunday, Devon's family and friends watched the Clackamas County Sheriff Office SAR team repel down to my friend so we could bring him home. He was a mere 900 yards from where I found his truck. Finding Devon offers closure that will help the family and friends with healing. But sadly we are now dealing with a black cloud and the GoFundMe mission. I won't comment more than to say, I know the truth...
Devon has been found and the family is working through the process of dealing with his estate. If anybody felt inclined to help them please use this mission:
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Devon's sister shared this on her FB story:
Today has just been so hard, I’m tired, I don’t have a lot left to give and there’s so much I want to say, in time.
I do wish that inaccurate information would stop spreading around but social media will do what it does.
For now, I want to share this from Devon’s good friend and hunting buddy. It’s beautifully written and it means a lot to me because I really don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this last few weeks without Bryce.
Proverbs 12:27 The lazy do to roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
The loss of Devon has been heartbreaking, but as Devon's neighbor shared with Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I witnessed so many amazing and inspiring people during the last few weeks and personally I can't begin to thank everyone enough. The organized SAR mission was incredible and nobody should criticize their effort, motivation, and determination. The rugged terrain and weather exponentially added to the difficulty of the search. Still SAR teams, fellow hunters, coworkers, friends, family, and complete strangers persevered. So thank you!
Perhaps some still have questions as to what happened. Devon went out that Thursday afternoon to check out a new hunting area that another friend had suggested. I'm guessing barely 15 minutes into his hike, Devon sees a deer skylined on the ridge to his right. He looks at the deer with his binoculars and realizes it's a fine buck. Devon checks his rangefinder, dials his scope for the distance, finds a good rest, and settles the crosshair on the bucks shoulder. He squeezes the trigger and the buck disappears from sight.
Devon may have been uncertain if he hit or missed the buck, but nevertheless, he began to assess the best way to cross the creek and begin the ascent. The hillside leading up to the ridge top is steep, but fairly easy for him during daylight hours to pick his way across the difficult terrain. It probably took Devon well over an hour - maybe two hours - to find a way across Fish Creek - either on a log jam or maybe by wading and to then make his way to the top to begin the search for the buck.
Eventually Devon is on top of the ridge overlooking the creek below and finds his buck right where it had been standing - he pauses and says a short prayer - thanking the good Lord for the beautiful animal. Devon loves pictures! He adjusts the buck so the backdrop shows the beautiful scarred creation and begins to capture the adventure and harvest.
Eventually Devon sends a quick message to me sharing the celebration of the successful hunt and then begins to break down the buck to be packed out. It's beginning to get dark, so Devon puts on his headlamp. He shares a few more celebration text messages with other friends and then eventually finishes the field butchering work. Devon packs the meat into his pack, straps the gun to the side of his pack and then straps the top lid over his trophy.
It's well after dark now. Devon likely looks at his OnX map to evaluate the best route back. From where he stands he might be able to see the moonlight reflecting off the chrome mirrors of his truck - it's only about 900 yards away. Devon sits down and slips each arm through the shoulder straps of his pack then stands up and secures the waist belt. The load is exceptionally heavy - 120, maybe 130lbs. He adjusts his headlamp and takes a deep breath and begins the journey back down off the hill.
Ultimately Devon experienced a tragic fall - the initial impact broke the stock off of his rifle at the hand grip and dislodged it from his pack. The rifle was found about 100-150 feet below the location where the deer carcass was located. Devon was found another 150-200 feet below his rifle and likely succumbed quickly from the fall.
The family is still awaiting the completion of cataloging many of the pack items Devon had with him. Authorities turned over the trophy buck, his broken rifle, and the ammunition that Devon carried in with him - 1 fired bullet and 5 unfired bullets. The new box of ammunition found in Devon's truck was missing exactly 6 bullets - the three "SOS" gunshots heard at 2am and the three "SOS" gunshots heard at 3am in the first couple hours of the official search were not Devon and are a mystery.
This was purely an unfortunate accident that was only preventable by choosing to not do the things we love to do. I choose the adventure and I know nothing could have stopped Devon from choosing that as well. I don't believe the outcome would have been any different had Devon been found early on. In fact, finding him earlier would have only limited the amazing and inspiring acts of the brotherhood who came together to help. RIP Devon.
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