Truck-Buck 2019-20: Week 1 Winner, Ann Lester

Week 1: Ann Lester, 145 2/8 typical
County: Macon
Date: Sept. 14

Ann Lester, a 24-year-old from Macon County near the small town of Ideal, was bowhunting on opening morning of bow season last Sept. 14. 

“I got up the stand and was setting up. About 10 minutes after climbing up, I saw him walk out. I was actually texting my brother in law. I texted him I was about to shoot a buck. He said ‘breathe,’ and so I did.” 

Ann said she could tell that the buck was just passing through and not hanging around the area, so she got ready for the first available good shot.

“He walked about 50 yards, and I couldn’t see him, and then he started to walk a trail where I knew I only had a little window of time. He stepped into sight between two trees. There was a bunch of branches and stuff in front of me, leaving not even half a foot to make the shot. I waited for him to step once, and ‘baaad’ at him. He stopped, and at 15 yards I took that shot of a lifetime.” 

Week 1: Ann Lester, of Ideal, with her Macon County bow-buck that netted 145 2/8.

The buck bolted and stopped about 10 yards behind Ann’s stand. 

“I couldn’t really see all of him, just knew it was him. I put another arrow in, and right as I released, he dropped dead already. My second arrow just stuck in the ground. Everything happened in less than 5 minutes. Then it hit me what had just happened! It’s amazed me how instinct took over my adrenaline-rush brain.”

Ann’s bow-buck was a 10-pointer that netted 145 2/8. It was the top buck of Week 1 in last year’s Truck-Buck contest, and in GON’s official Deer Records, Ann now has the No. 8 bow-buck of all-time from Macon County. 

“It was a hunt of a lifetime, and I’m grateful enough to have been the one to experience it,” Ann said. “God has truly blessed us on this earth. And as hunters I feel we sometimes get to experience His blessings more then some people.”

Ann will be shooting in the finals to win a new Silverado pickup truck from long-time Truck-Buck sponsor John Megel Chevrolet. She has already won $1,100 Mathews bows and a prize package which includes Antler Addict Mineral and 4S Draw from 4S Advanced Wildlife Solutions, a safety harness from Hunter Safety System and Shoot-Out shirts from Realtree.

GON’s Official Macon County Bow Buck Rankings