Joe Haught shows off the buck he shot this deer season.

Joe Haught was a freshman in high school in 1952 when he harvested his first deer with his Stevens 12 gauge shotgun using 12 gauge slugs (pumpkin balls). That day he took down a nice 6-pointer. On Monday, November 25, 2024 (72 years later) he got another 6-pointer with the same gun using the same kind of slugs.

Joe turned 87 years old on November 17, and remains active to this day, walking 2-3 miles daily on the country roads near his home out Piney. He says he’s slowed down a little from the 8-10 miles walks he was taking when he hit 80. He also sticks close to the roads instead of climbing the hills like he used to.

Joe is also a regular blood donor and since 1984 has given 16 gallons of blood. He has given blood as often as 6 times in a year.

“I donate blood knowing that it saves lives every time I donate,” said Joe.

Now, when he’s not busy walking, giving blood or hunting deer, he can be found at fairs and festivals pitching horseshoes in the tournaments where he has compiled a pretty nice collection of awards.

He wanted to thank Heather and Andy Bassett for their help in skinning and cutting up the deer. He had it out of the woods and had it hung up when they came to help. His last deer kill was 20 years ago and he said he wanted to get one more, so he did and he feels pretty good about it.

“Not everyone can say they still have the gun they used when they were a teenager,” said Joe. “It was something I had on my bucket list and I’m glad it happened.”

We want to congratulate Joe on his recent Deer harvest and wish him the best on his daily walks and hope to see him pitch some horseshoes!