Hunter: John Hawkins
Points: 12 (6L, 6R)
County: De Kalb
Season: 2024-2025
Hunt Story
Going in I knew there was no good tree to get in, fortunately there was an old rotten barn structure just big enough for me to get in and stay dry. It had one window in it and it was facing just the right direction. I got in around 1 in the afternoon hoping to catch the buck moving early between showers. Plan worked out great, he came in with about 5 does. The wind was swirling and one big doe blew and all the deer scattered. I thought for sure this was over. A buck of this caliber normally only gives you one chance and I blew it. This doe and yearling came back in 4 times from 2 to 6 p.m. and blew every time she came in. Around 7 deer started to funnel back in. A small buck showed up, and I remembered this buck runs with the bigger buck occasionally. Sure enough I saw the big buck skirting the group of deer. He came in closer but all the deer were acting skittish. He started to walk away, but I had drawn back at this point. He hit an opening and stopped. My pin was set on 20 but I knew he exceeded that, I estimated him to be around 28 yards. I aimed a little high and eased on the release trigger. Grateful to say I hit him in the heart and he ran just out of sight and expired.
