I hadn’t seen a lot of action in the field the last few afternoon sits, and with a north wind and rain, I decided to set up the saddle about 75 yards into the woods, hoping to put another doe in the freezer. I felt good about the spot but was clumsy getting set up, dropping one of my climbing sticks. I shrugged and thought “I guess this is high enough.”

I was still getting myself organized in the tree when I caught some movement along the tree line. I looked through my binos, saw a doe, and raised my rifle. As I was getting ready to pull the trigger, she stepped forward and I lost my shot, but was followed by this buck, stopping long enough to get a shot off.

He ran 200 yards into the trees. After very little blood and a steady rain, I backed out and came back first thing in the morning and found a shed antler and the buck a few minutes later. My biggest buck to date and first buck I’ve taken on our property!