Worth County Buck Turns The Tide On Family Farm

God never makes a mistake and His timing is perfect. Will Worn said “God is Good” after some years of hard times on the family farm in Worth County.

By Will Worn

So, this hunting story is about redemption at the family farm in Worth County. Our farm as been in our family for well over 100 years, but during that time has seen many tragedies. My mother was brought home from the hospital and raised on the farm. During her time there, she witnessed her family home being burnt to the ground twice. The first fire happened when she was a young child and was rescued by my grandfather from the burning home. The second fire was when she was a student a Abraham Baldwin. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed right after the first fire from kidney disease.

My mother now owns the family farm, and we have been trying to turn the luck around, and it starts right with this hunt.

I woke up Saturday morning, Nov. 9 and headed to the farm and to my favorite stand, “The Meat Stand.” The box stand sits over an acre field with woods all around the edge. I had previously sat there the last two days without seeing anything, which is rare.

Around 7:30 a.m., I heard a rustling sound from the pecan orchard next to us, which my grandfather planted more than 70 years ago. It sounded like bucks chasing.

At 7:38 a.m., three bucks came out chasing two does. I was just glad to see some activity. It was not long after that when I got a glimpse of the big guy. I was not able to get a clear view, but I could tell he was a little different from the rest of the crowd he was hanging out with. The three bucks chased the does out of my sight toward the south part of the cotton field.

After about 20 minutes passed, I saw the two does headed back my way with the bucks right behind. Now I watching six bucks chase the two does back to me. With so much chaos going on, it was heard to focus on one buck, not to mention six. Once the bucks got back in range, I was able to get a clear view of the big guy, and I was in total shock. Now my heart was pounding out of control, and my time was limited.

I kept chasing the big guy through my scope hoping. He wouldn’t stop long enough to get a shot off. Finally, he stopped for just a second, and I let the ole 6.5 Creedmoor eat. I took the shot, and he did not fall but instead ran off. At that point, I thought my nerves got the best out of me. I told myself to sit tight and wait in case he walked back out.

After 20 minutes of anxiety, I got off the stand to search for blood. I reached the spot where I took the shot but found not a trace of blood. I starting looking around where I thought he may have entered the woods. After getting discoursed, I finally stumbled on some blood.

The woods behind The Meat Stand are very thick. I mean thick! After searching for 30 minutes chasing blood trails, I go back to my house and get my English lab, Molly Clair Worn, who has helped me out numerous times over the past years recovering deer.

Once we got back to the farm, we jumped back into the thicket.

About 30 minutes had lapsed with no luck, when I heard Molly go nuts. She found him! When I finally made my way to them, I could not believe what I was seeing. I’m thinking to myself that I didn’t deserve a buck like this. At that point, reality set in, and I had to figure a way to get this buck out of the woods. So, I called my boys up.

Within 20 minutes, I have my brother, four neighbors and of course Molly helping me pull this big dude out the field. Once I had time to breath and reflect upon my hunt, the only thing I could say is “God is Good.”

After so many years of hardship on the family farm, our luck has definitely turned our way!