Cobb County Bow-Buck Earns Shoot-Out Spot

Charlie Dallavelle, of Marietta, with his Cobb County bow-buck taken on Dec. 28. The 10-pointer netted 145 1/8.

My dad introduced me to hunting as a young kid in the 1980s. Back then, those early hunts were grueling. We’d sit for hours, hoping for a deer, but more often than not, we’d see nothing. It wasn’t about the kills—it was about time spent with my dad. I learned so much about the outdoors from him.

In 1990, I sat through my hunter’s safety course in person, and it felt like a rite of passage. I still remember the excitement of getting my hunting license, especially sharing that experience with my oldest friend, Matt Chambers. We were both 15 years old.

Fast forward to 1996, when Matt took me to his hunting camp in south Georgia and put me on my first buck. That kill was what really got me hooked. We had spent our younger years exploring the woods together, but this time, he put me in position to harvest a great deer. We were so excited, we drove it around Valdosta, showing it off for hours. That moment is etched in my mind forever. I’ll never forget the rush of seeing that massive deer in my sights. It was a combination of excitement, nervousness, and pure adrenaline—plus a lot of luck.

Charlie with his first buck, taken in 1996 on a south Georgia hunt.

That first buck was a turning point for me. It marked the beginning of a lifelong passion. Every hunt since then has only deepened my appreciation for the sport. For me, hunting is about more than just the thrill of the chase—it’s about tradition, the connection with nature, and the memories made with family  and friends. Whether I’m out there solo or with my kids, those moments in the woods help me relax and truly unwind.

Then there’s the Georgia Outdoor News Truck-Buck Contest. Matt and I have been talking about this contest for decades—dreaming of the day one of us would have a chance to win. I never imagined it would be me, but now here I am, with a real shot at the truck. Winning the chance at the truck means so much. It’s the culmination of years of conversations, excitement and memories with my best friend. It feels like fate—a moment that was years in the making. I can’t wait to see where this adventure takes me!

The buck that won Week 16 and finally earned a shot at the truck was a suburban giant from Cobb County—neighborhoods, busy roads and bow-only hunting on small tracts.

I couldn’t shake the memory of missing him back in September during the early hunting season. It had been a shot I’ll never forget—a moment of pure frustration. I had gone into ‘The Matrix,’ my mind racing, and I rushed the shot. The buck, still in full velvet, stood there, and I couldn’t control the rush of buck fever. I saw him dash off, and I could only watch in disbelief, thinking to myself, ‘That was my one shot.’

Behind every massive buck, there is a supporting cast for the shooter. True friends who listen, offer counsel, and pump you up! I had my Dad, wife, Russell, Martin, Kent, and the wizard Roman, all there to support me. I replayed that missed opportunity every day, the scene running through my head over and over. A few weeks later, I realized my bow hadn’t been properly tuned. My arrow trajectory had been off due to improper elevation set up, and no wonder I had missed such an easy shot. I packed up my bow and took it straight to my new bow tech Jeff at Second Chance Archery. I explained the situation, and he immediately started inspecting my bow. Sure enough, he found several issues with the setup—my bow’s third axis was off, and so was my peep sight. This was a new bow I had purchased for the season. The tech spent the next couple of hours carefully tuning my bow and adjusting everything to perfection. I left the shop with a renewed sense of confidence.

Several weeks later, I spotted the buck on the hoof again, but I couldn’t get an ethical shot. The chase was on. Then came Dec. 28. It was a full-on rainstorm in the woods, but I was back in the stand, hoping for one more chance to get the buck I’d been after for months. It was one of those days I almost decided to stay home, but something told me the evening hunt might be worth it. The rain had been falling steadily for hours, soaking everything around me. Right at sunset, through the heavy rain, I spotted him—my target buck. He appeared from the ridge and stood there for 20 minutes before finally moving into shooting range. My heart raced, but I forced myself to stay still. I had been waiting for this moment for so long, and I couldn’t rush it now. The wind was in my favor, and the rain helped mask my movements. I steadied myself, bow in hand, waiting for him to come into range. I focused on him, mentally preparing for the shot. The buck stepped into the perfect position. I drew my bow, took aim, and released. I watched him drop 20 yards from the shot—there was no doubt. The rush of emotions hit me all at once—relief, excitement, and disbelief. I’d finally redeemed myself. The buck that had eluded me earlier in the season was now mine. That hunt taught me patience and perseverance. Sometimes, you get a second chance, and it’s worth the wait. The memory of that September miss made this victory even sweeter. Never give up. This hunt will be one I remember for the rest of my life.

Editor’s Note: Charlie’s 10-pointer netted 145 1/8 to win Week 16. It’s the No. 13 buck of all-time from Cobb County in GON’s Georgia Deer Records.

Charlie and his father, who introduced him to the outdoors. “My dad built those and many other muzzleloaders from scratch—they are not kit guns. He carved them out of a block of wood and even did a lot of the metal work on them. He is a unique individual and can do it all,” Charlie said. “We hunt opening day of muzzleloader every year at our farm in Fairmount.”

Charlie has been hunting with his friend Matt Chambers since they were 15 years old.

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