Hunter: Deanna Shepard
Points: 9 (5L, 4R)
County: Bleckley
Season: 2015-2016
Hunt Story
I made my way to my stand about 4:30 pm Tuesday evening. I wanted to get in early enough to hear my feeder go off since it hadn't been working. The feeder failed to cycle, and I was discouraged since I haven't had any pictures on my trail cam for weeks. I had seen zero deer on previous hunts since opening day. Sunset was closing in, and I focused my sights on the overgrown weed field. As I scanned the field, I caught movement at the edge of the shooting lane directly in front of me moving into the weed field. I raised my rifle and found the target in my scope. It was a buck, a big buck! Out of the scope I caught another flicker of white. I scanned to the left and saw a second set of antlers, bigger antlers! I shifted in my stand to try and refocus on the new buck. He was farther away, and because of the overgrown weeds, I could only see antlers. I realized there was no way I could get a shot, so I shifted back to the first buck. Seems he noticed the other buck too and turned away and to my left to look back at him. I knew with him looking away now was the time to take my shot. I fired! He didn't move. My first thought was "Did I miss?" No, I couldn't have. I chambered another round. I never heard him crash but more like he just laid down. With my focus on the target, I hadn't noticed the second buck run off. I began scanning the field but found no sign of him. After about 15 minutes and dark fast approaching, I climbed down from my stand and made my way onto the field. I had texted my husband who was inbound on the 4-wheeler. Because I'm not the best at marking my spot before I get down, I climbed back up in the stand and directed my husband out to approximately where I saw the buck go down. He and I, along with his cousin who had shown up to help look, began walking the area, and within minutes I found him, right where he stood when I shot him. The shot appeared to break his back, just in front of his left hind quarter. This is my third season hunting and my second big buck kill. Last season I killed my first buck, a 10-point, on the same field! Though this year is a 9-point, he is definitely one that I am proud of and well, the season isn't over yet!
