Hunter hunting along a marsh

Haley Maser

Information

  • Date Taken: 11/09/2024
  • Time Of Day: Morning
  • Method: Crossbow
  • Number of Points: 8
  • County: Manistee County
  • Property: Private

It was a beautiful crispy fall morning! At approximately 7:32 a.m., I heard something coming from the northeast and I was convinced it wasn’t a squirrel, etc. so I removed my gloves, grabbed my crossbow, turned the scope on, and got ready. Within seconds about 15 yards away, I seen a whole lot of horns near base of a tree. Reminding myself to be patient, I waited for him to take another step to give me a perfect shot before I let it fly. I seen the arrow hit and all I could hear (in my head) was my dad saying, “Watch where he goes!”, so I closely watched as he ran away. I finally exhaled and text my family “BBD BITCHES” (excuse the language). Dad was a bit confused by my message (there is a great family story behind this) so I had to be more direct in telling him I had just shot a mature buck. Dad said sit tight, I will come over in a bit. Once he arrived, it took us just a couple minutes to find him a short 25 yards away. Perfect shot! **Of course I had to examine the heart thoroughly as a MD resident going to specialize in cardiology.