Hunter: Dusty Brown
Points: 10 (5L, 5R)
County: Floyd
Season: 2015-2016
Hunt Story
I have been watching this deer for a few years. I have multiple pics of him I snapped from driving in and out as well as trail cam pics. I was so relieved to see him back in February to know that no one had got him last year after I let him walk, thinking he needs 1 more year. Finally I picked him up on trail cam again in September in full velvet. I knew he was still around, so I planned accordingly. My daughter Payton (11) has really taken an interest in hunting, and I had hoped to put her on this deer. We have seen a few on our hunts together, but nothing to hang on the wall. I asked this day if she wanted to go hunting and she declined. I reminded her that I could not pass up that buck if I see him. She still declined and wished me luck. I had hunted this stand about 5 times in the past 2 weeks with little luck. Saw a few doe here and there, but nothing like I have seen in previous years. This has been a typical hot spot for seeing multiple deer every time I sit here. It's a perfect pinch point between two hills. Regardless, today was the day as I watched two doe creep in around 4:45. They scavenged around then all of a sudden took off up the hill. I heard tromping in leaves and lifted my rifle to be ready. There were still a lot of leaves on the trees this late in season, so I had a hard time picking him up as he made his way down the hill. I finally got a good glimpse, and I knew it was him. Nerves were still calm at this point, but of course he stopped just out of site behind a cedar tree. This gave my adrenaline a chance to catch up with what was going on. As I tried to collect myself and ready the shot, he stepped out, and I confirmed one more time through the scope it was indeed the deer I had been watching. I'm trying to keep my heart from jumping out of my throat at this point, so I had to take a few breathes to calm down. I steadied and fired. He went to a knee and jumped up so I fired again. He ran about 20 yards and fell. No words can describe the feeling that overcomes you at that point. I gave him (and myself) a few minutes before I climbed down. By this point I hear my wife driving up the gravel road, my daughter had heard the shots and knew there was only one reason I would have fired. I got him.... finally. As I approach the deer, Payton came running up screaming "Did you get him?" "Yes baby, I did, he is right there." Turns out he landed right in a scrape that I assumed was his own. Limbs where broken and mangled above it that only he could reach. I made sure he was deceased and waved her over, she was so excited for me. I reminded her that should have been her deer, but she didn't care. She was happy for her daddy.
