Brotherhood Outdoors

Bob Krien, a member of Bricklayers Local 4 in Wisconsin, had no idea his wife, Geri, nominated him to be a guest on USA’s Brotherhood Outdoors TV show. So when the producers called, he had didn’t know what they were talking about. It didn’t take long, however, for him to accept the chance to head to Southwest Montana to hunt mule deer with the show’s host, Tom Ackerman.

  Of course, he did have some reservations.  In April 2009, he suffered a debilitating fall at work, breaking his leg and ankle in multiple places. Even with the best medical care, Krien’s injuries would not allow him to return to the masonry work he loved and excelled at, so he’s now pursuing a college degree in civil engineering.

  With nine surgeries and the recovery and rehabilitation periods in between, Krien also had to put hunting on hold for the past couple years. And though he was excited about going to Montana, he was also apprehensive about walking, especially uphill, which continues to be a challenge.

  It wouldn’t be the first challenge this determined optimist has overcome though.  A very community-minded individual, Krien participated in a Brain Injury Awareness “Walk for Thought” while in a wheelchair.  And as a huge supporter of his sons’ athletic pursuits, Krien didn’t let his injuries stop him for attending their sporting events, even when that meant taking a wheelchair through bumpy fields, crutching up and down bleachers and crawling at times.

  Krien’s grit along with some help from Ackerman, who was willing to “literally push him uphill” when needed, made possible Krien’s unforgettable return to hunting.

  “The whole experience represented a series of firsts for me,” Krien said. “Going to Montana, being on TV, hunting mule deer, and shooting an animal more than 100 yards away were all firsts. And so was working with a film crew and having a professional guide.”

  By late afternoon on the same day Krien arrived in Montana, he had a huge mule deer buck in his sights. “It was 126 yards away, and my rifle was up on sticks, but I just couldn’t get a clean shot,” Krien said. “The bottom line—a fence post saved that buck’s life.”

  He went on to see hundreds of mulies over the next couple days, but the moment of truth came when they spotted a shooter buck that forced them to relocate around a hill and belly crawl to within 226 yards.  For a Midwestern whitetail hunter accustomed to shots under 100 yards, that range seems like a far poke for Krien.  But when his shot rang out, the buck crumbled instantly and, in the words of his guide, “was dead before it hit the ground.”

  Krien’s buck was a beautiful 4 x 4, scoring 160 Boone & Crockett points—the kind of deer any hunter would be proud to take.  For Krien, it was proof that he can overcome his injuries and accomplish anything he puts his mind to.

  Tune in the Sportsman Channel on Thursday, March 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT to watch this inspiring hunt unfold.