Hunter: Shane Smith
Points: 13 (6L, 7R)
County: Henry
Season: 2024-2025
Hunt Story
On Sunday afternoon, 10/20/24, my son asked if I’d like to go sit in the stand. With work being as busy as it’s been the last two years, it had been a while since I’d been able to go, so it sounded like a great idea. Within 20 minutes of getting in the stand I saw two does and shortly after saw a basket 8-point within their same direction. Then for about 2 1/2 hours, I just enjoyed the peace and quiet. Around 6:30, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye and it was a doe. Curious to get a better look, I got out of my chair and got on my knees near the window of the stand. It was then that I noticed a tall spike was with her. I pulled out my binoculars, simply because I enjoy watching them, and observed the two for a few minutes. After I noticed there didn’t appear to be anything else with them, I then just browsed the rest of the field. When I swung to my right, I saw the biggest deer I’d ever witnessed from a stand. It seemed to good to be true. He was just grazing in the field about 125 yards from me broadside. He didn’t seem to have a care in the world or even know I was there. Still on my knees, I grabbed my 30-06 from the corner and took the shot. He fell instantly and I had the biggest grin ever on my face. I called my son Reed, who was in another stand on the property, and said I’d just shot the biggest deer of my life!! He quickly made his way to me and we recovered the deer together. Had it not been for the doe and spike, and my curiosity, I may have never seen the giant. For you see, there’s a finger of trees in the field and leaves were still on. Had I not gotten out of my chair and moved 3 feet over, I may have never seen the deer as he was standing in the field behind those trees. It was definitely an afternoon that I will never forget !! I’m so thankful Reed suggested we spend the afternoon hunting like we used to do together so frequently!
