3rd Prize
Mark XXII Rifles (5 awarded)
Todd Pipkin, Alabama
“My ‘Dream Hunt’ would be a Rocky Mountain wilderness horseback elk hunt with my best friend, Mike Davis. Seeing snow on the mountains, hearing bulls bugling, riding the trails…almost too much for a couple of South Alabama boys to take!! Mike has ALWAYS been there for me, through much adversity, and when it seemed that nearly everyone else was too busy.
I am a former Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries enforcement officer. On March 13, 2000, I was severely injured. In all, I had three arthroscopic surgeries and two open surgeries. My shoulder was ‘rebuilt’ using a total of eight screws, four pins and enough stainless steel wire to hold it all together. The doctors said that I would be permanently partially disabled, but I was determined to prove them wrong.
I was unable to work and earn a living. I received workman’s compensation, but it simply was not enough to take care of my wife and children and make ends meet. Since I was also unable to keep up my farm, I had to sell it and the home that we lived in. With no job, I couldn’t buy a house and had to rent. Since I had to rent, I decided to move closer to my doctors and physical therapists to save on travel expenses (120 miles round trip five days a week). This took me farther from Mike (he is a WFF officer in the adjoining county), but he didn’t waver. I didn’t see him as often, but he called frequently and did his best to keep up my spirits. When I was in pain and wanted to quit, he never let me waver from my goal to return to law enforcement. When we were able to see each other, Mike’s positive attitude was always a much needed lift to my morale.
I endured years of painful therapy trying to get back into shape to return to law enforcement, but with the doctors saying that I would never again be able to lift over 30 pounds, and then only if I used both arms. The department had to fill the job. Now, even if I DID prove the doctors wrong, I had no job to return to. In the meantime, the money made from the sale of the farm ran out. Then the workman’s comp ran out. I had no choice but to close out my State Employee’s retirement account, to provide for my family. In 2004, I was allowed to start part-time, non-physical jobs, but the pay was very low.
Finally, on June 27, 2007, six years, three months and 14 days after my injury, I demonstrated to the orthopedic surgeon that I had regained full range of motion and use of my arm. He signed the form saying that I am now fit for duty. On June 28, 2007, I was hired to be an officer for the Spanish Fort, AL, Police Department. I am still working on rebuilding my strength, but it is coming along.
Through all this, Mike Davis stuck by me for every step. He offered money, but I know what that does to friendships and wouldn’t accept it. He took my son hunting when I was not able. He helped us with a vacation, to help get my mind off my shoulder and financial problems in the summer of 2006. My wife and I went from having over $100,000 in liquid assets, to now being nearly $60,000 in debt due to my injury. I am 49 years old, with no savings and no retirement. I will never be able to repay what Mike has done for me. If I handed Mike $1,000,000 cash today, I would still feel that I was in his debt forever.
Mike Davis is a TRUE friend.
Many times, I have heard Mike speak of wanting to hunt in the Rockies. I know he loves riding; he has several horses and mules of his own. He even bought my saddle when I had to get rid of my animals when I sold my farm. He has bought guns of heavier calibers than needed for our little South Alabama whitetails, just so he’ll be ready if an opportunity arises.
Being able to give Mike a hunt that I know he has wanted for a long time would be a ‘Dream Hunt’…dream come true for me!”