Hunter: Josh Holley
Points: 7 (4L, 3R)
County: Forsyth
Season: 2016-2017
Hunt Story
After not much action during the hot, early bow season, I started watching the weather looking for major cold fronts. As it just so happened, a cold front was scheduled to hit on opening day of rifle season, so I figured I would hit the woods early. I saved my better hunting spot for colder weather, so this was the first sit I had there for the year. I have taken all of my deer in the past on the ground and today was no different; I sat on the ground with my back against the same tree I had killed a large 9-pointer on several years ago. As soon as the sun began to rise, the only squirrel in the woods came in from 75 yards away and climbed into the very tree I was leaning against, shaking acorns and leaves to the ground and causing me to have to sit even more still to avoid barking. I'm glad he did this, though, because he showed the large-bodied 7 pointer that showed up 5 minutes later that the area was safe. I could see that the buck had very tall tines, and that is all it took for me to commit. I waited until he walked into a nice opening between the hardwoods in the bottom and took the shot. I dropped him, but he was still moving slightly, so I got up and followed up my shot to make sure he expired as soon as possible. As I walked up on him, I could see why had taken this route. He had made two large scrapes and was checking them first thing in the morning. His forehead and tarsal glands were soaked, and I could tell from his smell he was already rutting. I took my hat off and thanked the Lord for the opportunity to take such a beautiful animal and have clean, lean meat in the freezer. I then laid my hand on the animal and thanked him for his life and said that I would use every bit of him so that his life was not taken in vain. I had about a 1/4 drag alone (which was harder than I expected with his weight). That said, I loved every minute of it!! This is the the second largest buck I have ever shot, and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to harvest a very good buck early on the firearms season!
